Campaigner promises night of glitz

Tamati Coffey.

Tables are filling fast to join Rotorua Labour Party candidate Tamati Coffey at the Blue Baths for a "glitzy" event to raise funds for his election campaign.

Mr Coffey's "Big Red Fundraiser" tomorrow night will be opened by Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick, followed by a speech from Labour leader David Cunliffe, who will attend the event with his wife.

"It will be a night of glitz and glamour where people have the chance to dress up and have a really fun night," Mr Coffey said.

"Opportunities like this are few and far between in Rotorua, with people having to go up to Auckland for a night of glitz, so it is great to be able to provide a night like that here."

Mr Coffey has called on friends from across the entertainment spectrum to perform at his gala fundraiser.

Guests will be welcomed by two of New Zealand's premier drag artists, Buckwheat and Tess Tickle, who will also perform shows during the evening. After being treated to a red cocktail on arrival, guests will be serenaded by Waiariki Institute of Technology music student Robbie Howard, someone Mr Coffey said was "an amazing talent that both the X Factor and New Zealand's Got Talent scouts totally missed".

The evening will also feature the winners of Glenholme Primary's talent quest and will end with performances by the Diamond Divas, finalists of New Zealand's Got Talent 2013.

"I've given up my career in television, and therefore my income, to run fulltime for this campaign, so I have to rely on grassroots fundraising like this to pay for billboards, pamphlets, even milk for the cups of tea at our Labour Lounge," Mr Coffey said.

Local businesses and individuals have provided items and experiences to go up for auction, including a contemporary painting by Opotiki-based artist Te Mete Solomon-Smith titled Tamati Coffey. Manawa.

Other auction items include a weekend's accommodation, including dinner, at Auckland's Viaduct Harbour; a hangi and concert family pass for Tamaki Maori Village; Kaitiaki Adventures whitewater rafting and dinner at Mr Coffey's house.

For more information, or to book tickets, contact the Blue Baths or visit the Labour Lounge at 1243 Tutanekai St.

Details

What: tamati coffey's big red fundraiser event.
Where: blue baths.
When: tomorrow from 7pm.
Cost: $60 per person or $50 per person for a table