The New Zealand air force is joining a search in Kiribati for the about 20 people missing at sea after their canoe capsized on Monday.
At least four people are reported to have died and the authorities say they have so far found 12 survivors.
The double hulled canoe was carrying 40 passengers from the capital, Tarawa, to the outer island of Maiana.
A New Zealand aircraft is to help with the search.
A Radio Kiribati reporter Naare Rakamati says the group on the boat was heading to Maiana to celebrate Independence Day.
"The canoe capsized when it was almost approaching the Maiana and they say that rough weather was one of the contributing factors to the incident, so one of the big waves just flipped over they out rigger of the canoe and that's when it capsized."
Naare Rakamati says it's the worst boating accident in Kiribati.
