Red Nose Day raises more than $1m for Cure Kids

The 7 Days Red Nose Special aired on TV3 last night. Photo / supplied

More than $1 million has been raised for Red Nose Day, with the proceeds going to child health research.

Donations for the campaign had been collected since the start of the month.

More than 550 schools and hundreds of businesses baked, created and competed with each other to raise $1,042,267, Cure Kids chief executive Vicki Lee said.

Comedians also lent their support to the campaign, with fundraising activity culminating in a 7 Days Red Nose Special, that aired on TV3 last night.

During tonight's Bledisloe Cup game, every seat at Eden Park will have a red nose on it and at half time, the crowd will be encouraged to hongi - a symbol of this year's campaign, Ms Lee said.

"Hongi celebrates the breath of life and represents sharing hands, hearts and minds - what better way to support Cure Kids and the health of Kiwi kids than through a beautiful celebration of life like hongi.

"This year's campaign has been stronger than ever. It really is a national endeavour and the funds raised will go to vital child health research that will benefit not only our children, but their children and grandchildren," Ms Lee says.

Donations could also be made during tonight's Bledisloe Cup match, by supporters texting in their favourite player's name, which would donate $3 to the campaign.

The money raised would fund research into better treatments for a wide range of childhood illnesses, including cot death (SUDI), stillbirth, leukaemia, rheumatic heart disease, asthma, inherited heart conditions and mental health conditions.

People could also still donate by going to www.rednoseday.co.nz or text NOSE to 933 to make an automatic $3 donation.