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Royal New Zealand Airforce P3 Orion - Source: ONE News -
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A Defence Force Orion has left New Zealand for Samoa to help in the aftermath of the tsunami.
The government sent the Orion to help search for survivors and assess damage after Wednesday morning's magnitude 8 earthquake and subsequent tsunami.
A spokesman says the Orion is to conduct a reconnaissance mission surveying Samoa as well as the northern area of the Tongan island group.
The Hercules is being prepared at Whenuapai Air Base and is likely to carry medical supplies, it is expected to fly out later on Wednesday.
Acting Prime Minister Bill English says Samoan officials are meeting on Wednesday and he is expecting to hear from them about what extra supplies the flight will need to take.
"New Zealand's diplomatic missions throughout the Pacific are in contact with local authorities to gather as much information as possible on the situation and how New Zealand may be able to assist," he says.
Up to 34 are dead in Samaoa and American Samoa, with the toll expected to rise to beyond 100.
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully's office has received reports of people being washed out to sea following the tsunami.
McCully says New Zealand's diplomatic missions throughout the Pacific were in contact with local authorities.
New Zealanders in Samoa should follow the instructions of local authorities, stay away from the sea and listen to the local radio, he says.
Anyone concerned about family they could not contact should call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr McCully says.
Concerns about non-relatives should be directed to the Samoan High Commission.
Seventy-six New Zealanders are registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade as being in Samoa but there were likely to be many more school holiday travellers.
There were "bigger than usual" waves in the Cook Islands, with swells up to 1m being
Meanwhile, Air New Zealand is adding an additional 150 seats and extra cargo capacity to its scheduled service from Auckland to Samoa on Wednesday afternoon in the event aid support is required for tsunami struck communities.
General Manager Airline Operations David Morgan says the service has been up-gauged from a 152 seat A320 to a 304 seat Boeing 777-200ER.
"We are acutely aware that this is an evolving situation and government and aid agencies may require the ability to move people or supplies at short notice," Morgan says.
"We have been in touch with the New Zealand government and offered whatever support we can to emergency relief efforts and to repatriate any Kiwis who want to leave Samoa and get home."
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.
The New Zealand Red Cross has also launched a Samoa Tsunami Relief project at givealittle.co.nz
Oxfam NZ is accepting donations for their rapid response emergency fund online at www.oxfam.org.nz, by phone 0800 400 666, or you can make make an automatic $20 donation, please call 0900 600 20.
Australia could consider financial aid to Samoa: Gillard
Australia could provide financial assistance to Samoa, Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard says, after the tsunami left dozens dead and Australians injured.
Speaking in Melbourne at the announcement of $1.6 million in work and family grants, Gillard said the government was monitoring events on the popular tourist island.
She said the government could consider financial aid.
"From the past, I think people know this is a country that has got a prior track record of extending a helping hand around our region when it's required," she told reporters.
"But, obviously, these events are still unfolding. They are being monitored closely.
"As soon as we can provide people with further information, we will."
Gillard said it was too early to indicate whether Australians would have to be evacuated.
"Once again, that is too early to be able to give you comprehensive advice about that," she said.
"I think everybody would acknowledge we are dealing with very early reports from Samoa."
Gillard said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was monitoring the situation but was uncertain if he had made contact with the Samoan government.
"Obviously, the prime minister stays across and has advice channels for incidents like this when they are emerging," she said.
