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Tropical cyclone Pat storms through the northern Cook Islands - Source: Mike Henry -
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The clean up has begun in Aitutaki in the Cook Islands after a cyclone caused widespread damage.
Tropical cyclone Pat, which blasted the island of Aitutaki on Wednesday morning, has now been downgraded to a tropical storm and has moved into open waters.
Up to 90% of houses on the island were reportedly severely damaged.
The New Zealand Government was working with Cook Island authorities to assess damage to Aitutaki, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) said.
Utilities had also been damaged and a state of disaster declared.
Communication and power were being restored.
There had been no reports of deaths or serious injuries in Aitutaki or any injured New Zealanders, MFAT said.
The Emergency Management Cook Islands team was leading the response and New Zealand remained on standby to assist if required.
MFAT advised New Zealanders in the Cook Islands to follow the
instructions of local authorities and contact friends and family to
let them know how they were.
There were no reports of damage in Rarotonga.
The New Zealand Red Cross had sent relief items to the Cook Islands including tarpaulins, satellite phones, candles, first aid kits and raincoats and was raising funds.
Cyclone conditions killed three young men in Tokelau, New Zealand's northernmost territory which lies 500km north of Apia, Samoa.
Seven men were flipped out of a barge into stormy seas off the coast of the island Atafu.
The four other men managed swam to safety.
All 1200 people on Tokelau are New Zealand citizens.
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