Yesterday was one of those days that puts our lives in context and reminds us of the fragility of our existence on this planet. In years to come, we will be able to look back and say, “I remember what I was doing the day the tsunami hit Samoa.”

The day was made all the more poignant for me because it was coincidentally also the day a long episode in my own life came to a close and a new one began in terms of my career. But the extent of the loss faced by our neighbours in Samoa far outweighed any uncertainties that may have been lingering in my own mind about becoming a full time self employed entrepreneur.

The islands of the South Pacific may be over the horizon, but their economic livelihood and stability is deeply entwined with that of our own. That is why New Zealand and Australia take such an active interest in Pacific island progress. The Pacific islands already receive a considerable amount of aid from abroad, but today we need to give a little more.

The ANZ bank will take care of cash donations at all their branches. You can also give specifically to the Samoa relief fund online at the Red Cross. Both ideegeo and GeniusNet have donated today and I urge others to do the same. Even a few dollars will help, if we all do our part.