"In 2011, I lost my cousin Teagan to suicide. This was hard issue to deal with, but I also found it a real eye opener... because I didn't want other families to go through what my whānau had experienced with my cousin's passing, I started making changes throughout the community and throughout New Zealand", she told Rotorua Reviews reporter, Amy Childs.
Arianna began speaking about the issue and has toured most recently on Mike King's TargetZero initiative. Arianna Cudby was one of 11 people chosen by the Key to Life Charitable Trust to raise $1000 in 90 days.
So combining her love of haka with a cause that she was passionate about she developed the Haka4Life Facebook page which seeks donations by getting people to donate $10, film themselves doing a haka and posting it via their Facebook page to share it with the world.
Coming up with Haka4Life is a new approach and one that 'just made sense' explains Arianna, saying "I choose haka because its a way to express true emotions through performing arts. Haka crosses all boundaries as a way of instilling key messages into the hearts of those watching."
"So far I have raised $500. It's incredible, our FB page has circulated the world with Haka4Life videos coming from Australia, USA, Korea, London, Wales and Hong Kong. Not to mention we have gone around Aotearoa NZ from Northland to the South Island.
The challenge ends October 6, so if you want to support Arianna then haka up, haka on, Haka4Life!
There are two ways to donate:
- Online Donations
- http://www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/90DayChallenge
- Reference: Haka4Life or Arianna
OR
- Direct Credit: NZ Bank account:
- 02-0428-0086124-00
- Reference: Haka4Life or Arianna
