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Source: ONE News -
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As a shipload of aid and able bodies steamed towards Tonga and Samoa on Saturday, others have spent the day in New Zealand passing the bucket around for more donations.
There were warm Pacific greetings for thousands turning up to Mount Smart for a Rugby League benefit match.
Representatives of league's brother code are among those lending a hand and picking up a few pointers in the correct searing of sausages.
"Just a pleasure to be able to help a wee bit and with good company," says Graham Henry.
On the field, New Zealand's most capped league player Ruben Wiki emerged from retirement to lead the resident Samoan team in its challenge which they lost .
The crowd also payed respect with a minute's silence.
At the harbour's edge, there were songs of praise for the Defence Force aboard HMNZS Canterbury .
As they finished lashing down the last vital pieces of equipment, organisers of a huge charity drive arrived to a look at how the donations will reach those most in need.
The air shipment is now more a reconstruction effort than disaster relief, containing engineering vehicles, water purifiers and lots of wood.
It's a goodwill mission scheduled for five days at sea before the real work begins on the ground in Samoa.
