PM Jacinda Ardern said it's "too early to tell" whether anyone has lost their life in the volcanic eruption and tsunami that hit Tonga. Video / NZ Herald / Dr Faka’iloatonga Taumoefolau / Willy Baptiste Florian / Johnny Teisi / US StormWatch
Melino Maka hardly got any sleep overnight and has been trying "every few minutes" to reach friends and loved ones in Tonga.
Maka, who is chair of the Tonga Advisory Council in Auckland, says he feels "powerless, helpless" after tsunami waves swamped his home island nation on Saturday evening followinga volcanic eruption.
He is one of many thousands trying to reach loved ones and friends, but main communication lines are still down.
Waves struck about 6pm on Saturday, New Zealand time, and followed several eruptions of Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai, located about 30 kilometres south-east of Fonuafo'ou island.
The eruptions had been noted the preceding day, then the final eruption sent steam, ash and gas 20km into the air and could be felt as far as Fiji.
Tongan Community Leader Melino Maka. Photo / File
"Many in the community have called me to ask what they can do to reach their families, they are worried just as I am, but I feel powerless and helpless because there's just nothing I can do," he said.
Maka said he had written to the new Tongan Prime Minister asking for directions on what to do next. The Tongan Government has yet to ask New Zealand for help.
He had heard from the community that areas such as Patangata, Sopu, Popua and Fangaloto are underwater.
"So the footage that we are seeing are just the surface of how bad the situation is because people have not been able to send through videos or pictures now that much of the communication networks are still down," Maka said.
Tsunami hits Tonga after volcanic eruption. Photo / Supplied
Social media footage that has been shared shows people fleeing in the dark.
"The biggest worry for most of us here is not knowing what happened to our families, and this again shows the vulnerability of Pacific Island nations when natural disaster strikes," Maka said.
"We are just getting really desperate for information."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said late Saturday night that it had no information to suggest Kiwis had been affected "at this stage".
"The New Zealand High Commission in Nuku 'alofa is monitoring the situation closely and is in contact with local authorities."
Attempts to contact the High Commission this morning by the Herald had not been successful.
MFAT said all New Zealanders in Tonga are advised to register their details on safetravel.govt.nz. A spokesperson on Saturday night said 18 New Zealanders were registered as being in Tonga with Safe Travel.
"If you are in the affected area or areas potentially affected by a tsunami you should follow the advice of the local authorities, including any tsunami evacuation orders. Please also keep your family back in New Zealand informed of your wellbeing.
"We also recommend that you stay informed of developments by monitoring local media. If you require consular assistance please contact the New Zealand High Commission in Nuku'alofa on +676 23122 or for consular emergencies +64 99 20 20 20."
