Restaurant cooks for Myanmar cause 

Donations have been pouring in from around the globe for the deepening crisis in Myanmar but it's not just collection buckets that are helping to raise the money.

A group of Wellington Burmese migrants have stepped into the kitchen at a restaurant to cook for their cause.

Normally Thai food is on the menu at the restaurant but on Sunday there was something a little different on offer.

"We're preparing the traditional Burmese food we call mohinga. It's a rice noodle with a fish gravy," says Annie Coates, a Myanmar expatriate.

It was a chance to raise money but more importantly, time to share stories.

"My brother said about 95% of the city, this was my home town, is gone, damaged by the cyclone. So it will be hard to recover rehabilitation, will take a long time," says Nwe Nwey, a migrant from Myanmar.

Another Burmese expatriate, William Duckworth, says all members of the Burmese community in NZ are worried about their families in Myanmar and how they are doing.

The Wellington Burmese community is Coates' extended family.

She has helped resettle many of them but Sunday was all about those who are still far away. The support didn't just come in the form of money.

"I said I'd love to come and be a dishwasher or help, so here I am," says Marianne, a volunteer.

New Zealanders all over the country have been digging deep and more than $175,000 has been donated by the public to the numerous aid agencies so far.

"Everywhere we go, even the video shop, and they've got the donation box for the cyclone and it's so overwhelming," says Coates.

And there's an opportunity for another fundraising helping at the restaurant next Sunday.

Those wishing to make a contribution to the cyclone relief effort can do so through various aid agencies. For details CLICK HERE