New Zealand sends more cyclone relief supplies to Tonga

The New Zealand government announced Friday it was stepping up relief assistance to Pacific island neighbor Tonga in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Ian, which struck last week.

"Following a request from the Tonga government, New Zealand will supply 300 emergency shelter kits, which can provide interim shelter to over 2,000 people, and assist the New Zealand and Tongan Red Cross with the provision of clean water on the islands of Ha'apai," Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said in a statement.

"We will also make a further 300,000 NZ dollars (250,459 U.S. dollars) available to New Zealand non-government organizations working with partners on the ground," said McCully.

"Cyclone Ian has resulted in the loss of one life and caused significant damage to buildings and some infrastructure. New Zealand continues to work closely with Tongan authorities and will consider all further requests for assistance."

The relief supplies were to be delivered to Tonga by a New Zealand Defence Force C-130 aircraft on the same day.

Friday's announcement brought New Zealand's support to Tonga since Tropical Cyclone Ian to 500,000 NZ dollars (417,432 U.S. dollars).