Cooks escape worst of Meena

Cook Islanders are counting themselves lucky after Cyclone Meena let the island group off relatively lightly.

The force four storm had been heading straight for the largest island, Rarotonga, and its capital, Avarua, but the eye passed 50km to the northeast early yesterday, narrowly sparing them from the worst winds.

A few buildings suffered serious damage but it was not the widespread destruction that authorities had feared.

The chief inspector of police, John Tini, told the Herald yesterday they were lucky.

"We were doing what we are supposed to do on Sundays. The old man must have heard our cries, not only from the lips but the heart."

Mr Tini said the cyclone appeared to hit hardest from about 7am to 9am (NZT) yesterday, which was Sunday in Cook Islands time.

The worst-affected areas were along the northern coast, where two bars were badly damaged and the walls of some business premises at Avarua caved in, allowing seawater inside.

Well-known local restaurant and bar Trader Jacks took the brunt of the waves on the edge of the Avarua Harbour.

Owner Jack Cooper said huge waves had swept through and demolished the establishment, but it still had its roof and some poles.

The bar could not be insured as Cyclone Sally in 1987 had destroyed a six-month-old building on the same site.

Mr Cooper estimated it could cost about $600,000 to repair the bar, which he said was a local institution and synonymous with Rarotonga.

MetService forecaster Eric Brenstrum confirmed the Cook Islands had been fortunate.

"The cyclone passed closest to Rarotonga, probably about 4am. The island was just on or just outside the edge of the most dangerous winds ... I also understand it was low tide so they were extremely lucky."

He said the strongest winds at the Rarotongan airport were recorded at 7am, from 68km/h gusting to 100km/h.

The cyclone travelled 80km west of Mangaia island and was now heading out to open water where there were no islands, Mr Brenstrum said.

Ships would have been warned to get out of the way.

He said Cyclone Meena was too far to the east to have any effect on New Zealand.

NZ response

* Foreign Minister Phil Goff earlier said a Hercules was on stand-by and if requested could be in the Cooks as early as today.

* High Commission staff in Rarotonga are liaising with the Cook Islands Government on initial assessments of damage.

* Assessments will continue over the next few days, especially of damage in outer islands.