Stars to shine over quake city

Robyn Malcolm will be singing a duet with Temuera Morrison to raise funds for Christchurch. Photo / Supplied

Two of New Zealand's biggest acting stars will step out of their comfort zones today when a major Christchurch earthquake fundraiser gets under way.

Temuera Morrison and Robyn Malcolm have pledged to sing a duet - the hit single What's the Time Mr Wolf from the box office success Once Were Warriors - during the Rise Up Christchurch telethon.

Twelve hours of entertainment kicks off at 9am and features local and international stars at events around the country.

The telethon will be broadcast live on Maori Television and live streamed at nzherald.co.nz but Kiwis are also encouraged to get down to Trusts Stadium in Auckland, Te Papa in Wellington or the CBS Arena in Christchurch to show their support in person.

Morrison, who shot to fame for his role as Jake "The Muss" Heke in the Warriors movie, said he was particularly wary of the song's high notes.

"It's quite a hard song - lots of high notes. I'm going to have to practise," he laughed. He is fitting the charity gig into a packed schedule promoting his current film Tracker and his next one, The Green Lantern, which hits theatres next month.

Outrageous Fortune's Malcolm joked that she was prepared to share some singing tips with Morrison.

"I think the telethon is going to be great. I have not done anything with Tem since Shortland Street - and that was a long time ago. It will be great fun. I'm sure I can provide a few tips."

The cause is particularly close to Malcolm's heart as a former Cantabrian and because her mum was injured in the February quake.

"She's dealing with a bit of delayed shock now. She had so many injuries and has a lot of recovery ahead of her but she has a positive outlook. And she's aware of the people that are worse off than she is.

"That's the thing that I notice when I go down to Christchurch. People are worried about what they can do to help one another."

Malcolm urged Kiwis to head to their local live events.

Other celebrities putting their names to the cause include Sir Ian McKellen who will be making a live appearance at Te Papa. And he'll be taking a copy of J.R.R Tolkien's The Hobbit, signed by the film's cast. The book will be auctioned off in the Sella.co.nz's fundraising auction.

A pair of Lady Gaga's shoes, Katy Perry's signed guitar and a Manchester United football package are also up for auction on the site.

Others are putting their bodies on the line, with boxer Shane Cameron taking up Candy Lane's dance challenge.