"All I can do is hope and pray," says a local farmer who fears for his workers in Vanuatu.
Mangaweka asparagus grower George Turney feels helpless that for the third day he can't contact his workers.
He and farm manager Sam Rainey have been trying to call and email the workers who have been coming to New Zealand to pick asparagus for seven years under the Recognised Seasonal Employment programme.
"There are just no communications ... I think any solar-powered cell tower will be knocked out," Mr Turney said.
"I've even tried to contact the agent I work with in Port Vila but there's no response and she's usually really good at staying in contact with us."
Mangaweka Asparagus employs between 30 and 40 ni-Vanuatu workers between October and January. Some will be doing their eighth season with Mr Turney this year.
"Most of our boys are from the Banks Islands about 800 kilometres north of Port Vila. The cyclone hit there first before going on to Port Vila." Mr Turney is hopeful the workers and their families are all right because much of the money they earned in New Zealand went into building substantial houses in their villages.
"While here many did the ITO level 1 and 2 building courses and have plumbing skills as well. That means homes with concrete walls and floors and corrugated iron roofs. They also put in water schemes so they should have enough water."
Mr Turney said there was no point trying to go to Vanuatu to see what had happened.
"It will just be one more mouth to feed, one more person to look after. I've had lots of contact from people wanting to go over and help but it's not practical right now."
He said Rotary was helping send over 600 boxes with all the safety equipment and resources needed for a family.
"That will be one of the first responses into the islands. "I feel helpless, but there's nothing we can do yet."
The extent of the damage from the category 5 Cyclone Pam which hit Vanuatu on Friday night won't be known for some time. The official death toll at press time was eight and expected to rise. Up to 10,000 are homeless.