New Zealand's emergency aid to Samoa is being stepped up as the death toll in ravaged Pacific islands mounts and the tragic impact of yesterday's tsunami hits stunned populations.
The Council of Trade Unions' Pacific body has encouraged New Zealanders to donate generously to appeals for Samoa and Tonga after this week's devastating tsunami.
Samoans are starting to feel the real impact of the death and destruction caused by yesterday's tsunami, Labour MP Chris Carter says.
The air force Orion that has been helping search operations in Samoa will be used to assess damage in Tonga, Acting Prime Minister Bill English said today.
Prime Minister John Key and Foreign Minister Murray McCully are preparing to visit Samoa as the Government gets its emergency relief operation into top gear.
New Zealand Civil Defence authorities have cancelled the tsunami alert issued following a large earthquake in the Pacific this morning.
Heavyweight boxer David Tua says life has to go on after revealing that an aunt died in the tsunami that hit Samoa today.
