Reconnecting communication with Tonga priority after volcanic eruption

This satellite image taken by Himawari-8, a Japanese weather satellite operated by Japan Meteorological Agency and released by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, shows an undersea volcano eruption, right, at the Pacific nation of Tonga on Saturday. The eruption triggered tsunami waves and blanketed the island nation in an ash cloud.

Tairāwhiti's Pacific Islanders' Community Trust (PICT) hopes to help people in Tonga once communication lines are reconnected with the volcanic eruption-stricken island nation.

PICT operations manager Dr ‘Alaimaluloa Toetu'u-Tamihere says the trust's thoughts and prayers were with the people of the Kingdom of Tonga as they face the impacts from the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai eruption and subsequent tsunami.

Communication lines remained out in Tonga, she said.

“Tongans in Tairāwhiti, across Aotearoa and in diaspora have not been able to hear from their loved ones. One comfort at this time for all Tongans abroad is the news that there have been no casualties or deaths reported so far.”

The New Zealand Government made an initial $500,000 available in response to a request for assistance from its Tonga counterpart.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the New Zealand Defence Force and other New Zealand agencies are working through air and sea options to provide assistance to Tonga,” New Zealand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta said yesterday.

Reports overnight suggested there had been no further ash fall. Eighty percent of power had been restored in the capital Nuku'alofa but the internet connection remained disconnected, Ms Mahuta said.

New Zealand Defence Force plane P3 Orion was sent to Tonga today to conduct an initial impact assessment.

Dr Toetu'u-Tamihere said the trust was thankful to the New Zealand Government, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and people of Aotearoa for their aroha (love) and a speedy response in assisting people on the ground in Tonga.

“We look forward to receiving reports from our New Zealand relief workers, having communications lines back up again to reconnect with our families in Tonga and see ways in which we can assist from here.”

Tonga faces the mammoth challenge of rebuilding while also battling the effects of the ash cloud.

The Covid-19 pandemic had already made life tough enough, Dr Toetu'u-Tamihere said.

“We are hopeful, however, as we have seen our Tongan sisters and brothers pull together as families, communities, churches and as a nation due to their strong ties to one another, their mafana (hearts filled with compassion), loto taha (unity) and loto fie tokoni (hearts of service) to one another and to all people.

“It is these Tongan values we now look to which will see our people in the Friendly Islands rise again — more resilient and stronger as a people and as a nation.”

What the community could do from abroad was come together in efforts to battle climate change as their nations in Oceania were facing grave danger with rising sea levels — tsunami or not, Dr Toetu'u-Tamihere said.

“In addition, we look to assist our people in Tonga on the ground by sending much-needed supplies home.

“We also need to return to the indigenous Tongan and Pacific ways of relief work in view of these instances.

“This is not the first volcanic eruption in Tonga or the Pacific.

“The Niua Islands in Tonga's archipelago had a volcanic eruption during the reign of her Majesty, the late Queen Salote Tupou III and our Tongan people were able to survive that volcanic eruption.

“ Our neighbouring islands of Hawai'i also have had volcanic eruptions. Our locals therefore can look to ways our ancestors survived and rebuilt after such natural disasters.

“In saying that, we appreciate all the support and ‘ofa (aroha) we have received since Saturday from the New Zealand Government and people across the globe, and we are grateful. Malo e ‘ofa mo e tokoni kotoa pe. Together, connected and supported — we will stand by the peoples and nation of Tonga at this time and in the days to come as they rebuild.”

PICT Tairāwhiti has received messages of support and prayers from its Pasifika counterparts, the Tongan community and the likes of Labour MP and minister Meka Whaitiri.