The Defence Minister says a Hercules loaded with aid supplies is ready to fly to Tonga today now the main island's runway has been cleared of ash.
Relief efforts have begun following the country's major volcanic eruption and tsunami -- but the scale of the clean-up and recovery operation remains unknown.
Two New Zealand naval ships carrying critical aid are already en route to the tsunami-hit islands. A third ship is preparing to leave.
Tonga's Speaker of Parliament Lord Fakafanua, who is stranded in Auckland, talks to Max Towle about the recovery efforts.
