Auckland, Jan 27 NZPA - The third annual Ragamuffin festival at Rotorua on Saturday raised $8300 for earthquake-devastated Haiti.

About 30,000 people attended the reggae festival which featured a mix of international and local acts, including Sweet and Irie, House of Shem, Sola Rosa, Katchafire, Sean Kingston, Bob Marley's son Julian Marley, Steel Pulse, Sly and Robbie, Lauryn Hill and Shaggy.

Haitian-American musician Wyclef Jean cancelled his performance at Raggamuffin following the devastating earthquake in his homeland. But he made an on-screen appearance to talk about his experience of the Haiti earthquake and his proposed performance at Raggamuffin 2011.

The Red Cross collected $8300 for Haiti on the day, while online donations topped $6250 for the Samoan relief fund.

The Good Water Project donated 10 percent of bottled water retail sales to the Sir Peter Blake Trust to support environmental education programs in New Zealand.

Peter McLeod, general manager of Event Venues Rotorua, said Raggamuffin 2010 again reinforced Rotorua's standing as the reggae capital of New Zealand.

"Raggamuffin not only brings a significant economic boost to the city but also creates an exciting and vibrant atmosphere for visitors and locals alike."

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