NZ's Pacific tsunami response praised

One year on from the massive Pacific tsunami which killed more than 180 people in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga, the reconstruction effort continues, with New Zealand organisations still at the forefront.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has released a report on New Zealand's response to the tsunami and how it continues to help with the relief effort.

The report says Samoa has made strong and rapid progress in rebuilding and improving infrastructure, restoring essential services, and is beginning the process of economic recovery.

In Tonga, however, reconstruction work on the badly affected island of Niuatoputapu has been more difficult due to its isolation, which has added to the cost and complexity of rebuilding.

The New Zealand Government donated $12 million to Samoa and $1.5m to Tonga to help provide the necessities of life following the tsunami and to help rebuild communities in its wake.

Along with the funding, more than 150 personnel from the New Zealand navy, army and air force were deployed to help, as were 43 medical personnel and members of the New Zealand Police

The report says New Zealand non-governmental organisations including Oxfam, Rotary, Unicef, Adra New Zealand, the New Zealand Red Cross and Banzaid have also provided invaluable aid and services to people affected by the tsunami.

The Government's assistance was matched by the outpouring of generosity from the New Zealand public and hundreds of New Zealanders volunteered their time and skills to help the recovery effort, it says.

"As the Pacific tsunami demonstrated, New Zealand's commitment to the Pacific in terms of humanitarian assistance is strong and the ties between communities in New Zealand and the Pacific mean that natural disasters in the region are felt deeply by Kiwis.

"One year on the recovery from the Pacific tsunami has made strong progress and New Zealand will continue to support ongoing reconstruction efforts in Samoa and Tonga."

- NZPA