Goff flies to Solomons for first-hand look at devastation

Defence Minister Phil Goff is flying to the Solomon Islands today to see for himself the devastation wrought by last week's earthquake and tsunami.

He is joining a team of New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) cargo handling specialists being sent to the islands to help with the relief effort there.

He will return on the air force Hercules tomorrow night.

"The flight is in response to a request from the Solomon Island's government for an air loading team (ALT) to provide assistance with managing and handling the large volume of relief supplies arriving at Honiara," Mr Goff said.

The team would be a key asset to enable relief supplies to be quickly and efficiently distributed, he said.

"While in Honiara, I will meet with NZDF personnel involved in the relief operations and also those territorial and regular force members of the New Zealand Army who deployed to RAMSI last week."

- NZPA