
A gala dinner at the New Zealand Embassy in Washington has raised $200,000 towards Christchurch earthquake relief.
The Amazing Race host Phil Keoghan, originally from Canterbury, was MC of the event, which attracted a largely American audience. Mr Keoghan told the crowd that it was important to emphasise that Christchurch was "open for business" while being grateful for continued support in rebuilding.
New Zealand Ambassador to the United Stated, Rt Hon Mike Moore, said he had been blown away by the ongoing support and generosity of the American government and its people. "We're all in this together."
The gala's guest speaker, Admiral Thad Allen, was in Christchurch during the earthquake as part of the US-NZ Partnership Forum event. He commented on the resilience of New Zealanders and described the country's ability to come together and recover as admirable.
Ambassador Mike Moore and TV host Phil Keoghan at a gala dinner at the New Zealand Embassy in Washington