iPhonewzealand app proceeds donated to NZ Red Cross Earthquake Appeal

Many New Zealand-based Mac and iOS developers are rallying to help the city of Christchurch following its recent devastating earthquake. NZ-based tech blog iPhonewzealand is the latest to join in these efforts.

The site's old iPhone app has been withdrawn from the App Store, and in its place is an updated app with access to news, comments and forums on iPhonewzealand's site. iPhonewzealand focuses on local Kiwi developers and apps, too, so if you live in New Zealand and have an iPhone, this site and its app are a great resource.

Of particular interest to users outside of New Zealand, the app also contains iPhone carrier settings for New Zealand's mobile providers, streamlining the process of getting your iPhone working while you're visiting New Zealand.

The app is priced at US$1.99 (NZ$2.59) until the end of March. After Apple takes its 30 percent cut, all further proceeds go directly to the New Zealand Red Cross. In the wake of the recent earthquake in Christchurch, which sadly seems to be shaping up to be the worst natural disaster in New Zealand's history, every little bit of help counts. If you're in New Zealand and have an iPhone, this purchase is a no-brainer, and it's also a good purchase if you're an international iPhone user planning on visiting down here.

Citing its terms and conditions for the App Store, Apple forced iPhonewzealand to redact any mention on iTunes of its app's proceeds going to charity. Thankfully, Apple has no say on where the developer's profits go after the company takes its 30 percent off the top, so even though iPhonewzealand can't announce its charitable intentions on the App Store, we can still do so on the site's behalf.

If you're not interested in the iPhonewzealand app but would still like to donate to the New Zealand Red Cross and support its efforts to help the city of Christchurch in its time of need, you can do so directly at the Red Cross website.

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Source: http://www.iphonewzealand.co.nz/2011/all/grab-our-new-iphone…

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Many New Zealand-based Mac and iOS developers are rallying to help the city of Christchurch following its recent devastating...

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Geekpulp

You can find a bunch of devs supporting Christchurch at www.appappeal.co.nz.

February 27 2011 at 10:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Mrrichardlewis

Thanks Michael,

I have emailed Apple and suggested they use the Apple website to accept donations.

I understand that this app was not created by the Red Cross, but it would be great to see Apple set up some sort of framework for these large charitable foundations. If every user of iOS was to make just a small donation it could make a huge difference to the lives of people struggling in the aftermath of such tragic events.

Anyway, the point of the comment was not to critique Apple but to encourage people to donate to a very worthwhile cause.

http://www.christchurchearthquakeappeal.govt.nz/

February 27 2011 at 5:42 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Mrrichardlewis

If you don't want to give money to the red cross - please give generously to the official government relief fund.

http://www.christchurchearthquakeappeal.govt.nz/

The earthquake has devastated the city of Christchurch leaving many dead and more than a third of the city centre needing to be re-built.

It is absolutely disgusting that Apple, happily sitting on something like $50 billion in cash, are still taking 30% of money donated through this app, intended to help people at the most desperate of times. Shame on you Apple.

Kia Ora.

February 27 2011 at 3:42 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Mrrichardlewis's comment

Michael Rose

Richard, your frustration is understandable, but it's logistically and politically impossible for Apple to generate one-off exceptions for 'worthy cause' applications while vetting them adequately and making sure the funds are going where they are supposed to. Having the same simple rules for all apps means that the developers of this app didn't have to go through a different approval cycle than all the other non-charitable apps, which would have likely taken days or weeks and completely defeated the purpose.

It would only take one bad apple, so to speak, with a developer claiming the charity exception to evade the 30% store fee and actually pocketing the money -- and then the whole thing would be over for charitable apps entirely.

You're free and encouraged to deliver feedback to Apple directly via the company's website if you think there's a better approach to disaster donations. Apple has, in the past, given over the front page of iTunes to allow direct contributions (Hurricane Katrina, Haiti, etc.) so perhaps your input will encourage them to do it again.

February 27 2011 at 5:01 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

jaap

There are far, far better people to send your money to than The Red Cross - just google 'red cross spending haiti'.

February 27 2011 at 1:46 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply