Fundraiser closed by organiser as scrutiny grows over Heal the Nation tour finances

The organiser, Corina Shields, behind the Heal the Nation fundraiser closed the Givealittle campaign after raising more than $13,000 from donors, as scrutiny intensified over the tour’s finances and accountability.

Fundraising platform Givealittle confirmed in a statement the page was not shut down by the company, but instead closed by the person who created it.

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Image: The Givealittle logo. The fundraising platform confirmed the Heal the Nation – Iwi Whakamahu campaign was closed by its organiser, not the company, and said responsibility for donor funds and accountability rests with the page owner. (Supplied / Givealittle)

“The page was closed by the page owner. It was not closed by Givealittle,” a spokesperson for the platform said in a statement.

The campaign, titled ‘Heal the Nation – Iwi Whakamahu’ initially set a fundraising goal of $100,000 to support a North Island tour. Public cost projections linked to the tour included approximately $10,000 for devices and Starlink connectivity, $30,000 for vehicle hire and fuel, and an estimated $60,000 for hosting, food, and security.

Despite those projections, the fundraiser collected approximately $13,036 from 114 donors before it was shut down. The campaign goal was altered during the fundraising period, enabling earlier withdrawal of funds. Usually if a goal is not met the funds are not dispersed.

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The campaign was reviewed by a moderation team while active and was found to comply with the platform’s Terms and Conditions.

“The [campaign] page was reviewed by our moderation team and was assessed as meeting Givealittle’s Terms and Conditions while it was live,” the spokesperson said.

“Givealittle does not determine how funds are distributed. Responsibility for the purpose of a fundraiser, updates to donors and the use of funds sits with the page owner.”

Funds raised through the platform were paid into a verified bank account nominated by the fundraiser organiser.

Givealittle did not confirm whether funds had already been withdrawn prior to the page being closed, nor whether any refunds had been issued to donors.

Image: A composite view of Shubz’s TikTok account, which contains more than 4,000 videos with content surrounding the Heal the Nation campaign and past-related periods. This illustrates the scale and frequency of social media content he has posted. (Supplied / Screenshot from TikTok / @shubzlive)

The Heal the Nation tour and its associated fundraising have been the subject of sustained public scrutiny, including questions around governance, transparency, and the use of donated funds which remain unclear.

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The tour was promoted as a nationwide effort involving travel and community events. However, no formal organisational structure has been identified, and questions have mounted over whether the campaign operated under a registered entity and what financial reporting has been provided to donors.

Givealittle said it operates as a neutral platform enabling individuals and organisations to raise funds, and reviews concerns raised in line with its Terms and Conditions.

Video: Corina Shields (left), Martel Wikeepa, also known as Shubz (centre), and media manager Skye (right) playing loud music while travelling in the rental van, paid for by Hobson’s Pledge, to Wellington. (@auntyheihei7 / TikTok)

The confirmation that the page was closed by its organiser, rather than the platform, places responsibility for donor funds and financial accountability directly with those behind the fundraiser.

thisquality approached Martel Wikeepa, an organiser of the Heal the Nation tour, seeking clarification on how donor funds were used and what governance or oversight structures were in place. He did not respond to questions.

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The fundraiser and its financial handling remain matters of ongoing public interest.

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