NZ gives another $1.5m to help Fiji

2:35 pm on 1 March 2016

The New Zealand government has increased its aid package to Fiji by $1.5 million, to help the country recover from Cyclone Winston.

Damaged buildings in Rakiraki after Cyclone Winston hit Fiji.

Damaged buildings in Rakiraki after Cyclone Winston hit Fiji. Photo: Fiji Government

That takes New Zealand's total contribution to more than $4.7 million.

Parts of Fiji were devastated by the cyclone last month. Homes and schools were destroyed and 43 people were killed.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully travelled to Fiji yesterday and said the devastation caused by the cyclone was very serious.

While humanitarian relief operations continued, the response was starting to move into the recovery phase, restoring electricity, water and transport.

The extra money announced today included $1 million to help repair power lines and infrastructure in some of the worse affected areas, and $500,000 for additional relief supplies and technical support.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs