23 Jan 2011

Samoa gives money to Pike River disaster fund

10:22 am on 23 January 2011

The government of Samoa has donated tens of thousands of dollars to the Pike River Coal mine and Australian flood disaster funds.

It has given $60,000 to the Pike River fund and $A100,000 to the Queensland flood relief fund.

The Samoan government says while the amounts may be insignificant in terms of the overall costs, it's the spirit in which the money is given that counts.

It says the donation highlights the close relations between the three countries, and says New Zealand and Australia have been generous to Samoa over the years, particularly following the tsunami of September 2009.