She was Mary Ann White, 55, her family said in a press release this morning.
She and her husband Andy were holidaying in Samoa with close friends and business partners Diane and Brent Cederman, the New Zealand Herald website reported.
The group own and operate the Raglan Sunset Motel and were enjoying a joint holiday in Samoa when the tragedy struck.
They are expected to return to New Zealand in the immediate future pending the completion of formalities in Samoa.
The Whites have three children and two grandchildren.
Two New Zealanders have been confirmed dead and one is missing presumed dead in Samoa after yesterday's devastating earthquake and tsunami, Acting Prime Minister Bill English said today.
There were believed to be around 500 New Zealanders in the area with 300 of those reported as safe, he said.
"Our hearts go out to those New Zealand families who have lost a loved one," Mr English said.
Australian media reported one of the dead was a two-and-a-half year-old girl from New Zealand with Australian permanent residency.
The Government wanted any New Zealanders who had family members in Samoa and knew they were safe to get in touch with authorities.
"That is how we will able to confirm the safety of every New Zealander."
The Samoan death toll was growing past 100 and the huge impact on the nation could not be underestimated.
Aid was being moved into Samoa, but it was proving more difficult in Tonga - where lives were also lost - as the airport there remained closed.
Mr English told NewstalkZB the Samoan Cabinet was meeting today and New Zealand was working with France and Australia to meet the basic needs of food, shelter and water.
"That is going to be an urgent requirement today, tomorrow, the next to house the thousands of people," Mr English said.
New Zealand would be in there for the long haul reconstruction to Samoa.
The death toll is expected to rise considerably, as rescuers reach today the worst hit areas in both Samoa and American Samoa about 100km away. Villages are reported flattened.
An air force Orion was to fly over the Samoan coastline this morning, gauging damage from the tsunami and the magnitude 8.3 earthquake that preceded it and helping to search for bodies washed out to sea.
A Hercules transport plane flew in overnight, taking medical supplies and army medical personnel, as well as tents, food and temporary morgues asked for by the Samoan government.
More flights were likely.
The High Commission has opened up the cyclone shelter at its compound for New Zealand travellers who need accommodation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said people concerned about family members in Samoa should try to make contact with them in the first instance. Those with ongoing concerns can call MFAT on 04 439 8000, with as many contact details as possible.
