Metallica not only showed up to melt some faces at Eden Park on Wednesday night (19 Nov), but they also quietly did some epic stuff through their charity All Within My Hands while in the country.

Metallica donated a generous $20,000 to Auckland Women’s Centre - a safe place that empowers women with support, education, counselling, community kōrero, advocacy, and a safe space to belong.

When the Centre got an email saying Metallica wanted to donate, staff thought it was a scam. But as it turns out, it was all legit.

“We are thrilled with the support – and with Metallica demonstrating people from all walks of life can support grassroots feminist care and advocacy,” said centre manager Maia Hall.

The donation covers about two weeks of operating costs. That is huge for an organisation that doesn’t receive government funding and relies heavily on community support.

“Now is more important than ever to rally around your community. That’s why the donation from Metallica feels so special,” said Hall.

“The funds themselves help us to sustain our work, but it also sends a strong message: Metallica can see the important mahi we’re achieving in the community. It may seem like an unlikely friendship, but actually there’s loads of crossover in our communities of feminism and heavy metal!”

Hall says they would love more people to follow Metallica’s lead and join their $5-a-fortnight Fabulous Feminists programme. “We’d love people to follow the lead of Metallica, rock legends and feminist allies.”

Then, because they don’t do things by halves, Metallica’s charitable foundation also turned up for a massive food-packing event with Meet the Need at the New Zealand Food Network warehouse. 

Fifty volunteers, including a diehard fan who flew in from New Jersey, teamed up with Meet the Need, ambassador Ben Purua, Fonterra, and Sir Michael and Maliena Jones to pack 1,022 food parcels.

That’s 12,877kg of food heading to Kiwi families doing it tough.

Meet the Need GM Zellara Holden said, “Seeing Metallica fans, Kiwi farmers, and community leaders standing shoulder to shoulder to help feed Aotearoa was incredibly moving.” 

New Zealand Food Network CEO Gavin Findlay added that the event “perfectly reflects” their mission to get nutritious food to whānau who need it most.

"To AWMH and Metallica - thank you for shining a global spotlight on food insecurity here at home, and for standing with Kiwi farmers to support families in need. We are so, so grateful," Meet The Need's social media page posted.

Global rock legends. Local impact. Ya love to see it.