Sir Rod Stewart has confirmed the Mission Estate Winery Concert in Napier will be going ahead on Saturday April 8.
In a video message posted on the Estate's Facebook page, the 'Sailing' rocker paid tribute to the people of the region and the "horrific nightmare" they've gone through with Cyclone Gabrielle.
"My dear friends, I'm totally aware of the horrific nightmare you've gone through with the Cyclone Gabrielle," he said in a personal message.
"I wish you well in putting the city back together and just to let you know I'm coming there for three concerts, in Hawke's bay and a couple of others, and we're gonna cheer you up.
"We're gonna have a great time and put some smiles on your faces," he finished the message before lifting his hands in the air.
There's been heated discussion on the Mission Estate Winery Concert Facebook page about whether the concert should go ahead in the wake of the devastation in the region.
Some felt the organisers should follow Sting's recent lead after the Police frontman cancelled his gig in March "out of respect to those affected" and gave a donation to the Hawke’s Bay Foundation’s Cyclone Relief Fund.
"Maybe ticket holders need to start a petition to Mission to stop the concert so we don't pay for tickets and accommodation we can't get to," one said.
However, there has also been pleas from people in the region to ensure the concert goes ahead to bring economic wealth back into Napier.
"Look, as a 'Hawke's Bay person' can everyone stop speaking on our behalf and saying what we don't want?! All these comments seem to be more about wanting a chance to be outraged rather than, can we look at how this might help? Eg release free tickets to the most affected in our region. Make fundraising for H.Bay a huge part of the concert," another said.
In February, promoters said they would continue to monitor the recovery of the Hawke's Bay region and pledged money from the new tour date in Auckland to the disaster relief fund.
"Live Nation will continue to monitor the recovery efforts in Hawke’s Bay and we are working towards the Rod Stewart with Cyndi Lauper date at Mission Estate on Saturday, April 8 proceeding as scheduled."
Last week, in a statement they confirmed they had "confident expectations" the show would go on.
"Our teams continue to monitor the massive clean-up and rebuild effort underway in the region and we are liaising with local authorities and the police.
"Our confident expectation is that the Rod Stewart concert at Mission Estate winery on April 8 will go ahead as scheduled with current information.
"Live Nation and Rod Stewart are also supporting efforts by donating a portion of the Spark Arena concert proceeds to the Red Cross NZ Disaster Relief Fund," the statement said.
Stewart and Lauper will also play Dunedin on Wednesday, April 5 and Auckland's Spark Arena on Sunday, April 9.
