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Source: ONE News -
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Samoans are returning home to Samoa as news of their loved ones being caught up in the tsunami reaches New Zealand.
Farewelling loved ones and heading to the unknown, many of the passengers on flights to Samoa have lost family members.
"We've lost our dad, two sisters and two nieces. I just can't wait to get home," says one Samoan traveller.
The lack of solid information is making it harder for the returning travellers.
To accomodate grieving relatives, Air New Zealand has scheduled a bigger plane for its regular flight from Auckland to Apia on Wednesday afternoon.
"We have heard of people at the airport turned up in their payjamas, turned up with nothing and hence why we are trying to put on a larger aircraft to try and get as many people who want to get out as fast as possible," says Air New Zealand's Bruce Parton.
Many Samoans in New Zealand are rallying around.
"We call it the tapuinga, literally we have the elders gather and pray in their homes and the youngsters will be asked to do the run around and try and get that information," says Su'a William, Labour MP.
A Samoan radio station in New Zealand is also helping to spread word of the disaster.
The Samoan community in Otara and throughout the whole of New Zealand are preparing for the worst, making calls back to loved ones or waiting for news to filter through.
And the news is hitting home for David Tua with his aunty being one of those confirmed dead.
"My condolences goes back to the family and hope everybody else can stay strong in these challenging times," says Tua.
But the spirit of the Samoan community remains strong.
"Family is pretty much what we rely on, what we fall back on when we hit hard times," says a Samoan resident.
People concerned about family members in Samoa should try to make contact with them in the first instance. Those with ongoing concerns can call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 04 439 8000, and provide as many contact details as possible.
Anyone worried about the safety of non-New Zealand relatives in
Samoa should contact the Samoan High Commission on 04 472
0953.
