Relief efforts are to be stepped up in Tonga today to help the thousands affected by Cyclone Ian, which caused extensive damage.
One person was killed in the Ha'apai islands when winds exceeding 280 kilometres an hour tore through on Saturday.
Most homes in the area have been either damaged or destroyed.
Matangi Tonga reports that one village with about 40 homes on tiny Mo'unga'one Island was flattened.
The director of the national emergency office, Leveni 'Aho, says more relief supplies will go out today on several flights and a boat to those islands most affected by tropical cyclone Ian.
Leveni 'Aho says they are relying heavily on satellite phones in some islands to get information about what assistance is needed.
"Three of the islands are away from the main island of Lifuka, so the logistics of getting there is a challenge as well but basically we are looking at a population of about no more than 4,000 of those in the affected area, so that's what the coordination is now trying to get relief in those areas at the moment."
Leveni 'Aho says they are relying heavily on satellite phones in some islands to get information about what assistance is needed.
A New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence official, Ian Wilson, says the biggest request from those on Ha'apai is for shelter.
"At the moment we are moving some generators down there we moved some tents down and we are going to move a little bit of water down there."
Ian Wilson says a medical team will also fly to Ha'apai later this morning.
Communication is difficult and power has been cut.
A spokesperson for the Tonga Power company, Seti Chen, says the damage is extensive.
"We are probably looking at about at last 90 percent of the lines, if not 100 percent of the lines, that are down. We have quite a few damaged transformers as well. All in all the damage on the actual network is quite extensive."
The New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga, Mark Talbot, says New Zealand stands ready to help in the relief effort for the worst cyclone-hit areas.
"There may be some areas they may approach some of their friends in the region, including New Zealand. There are a whole of variety of things that New Zealand could offer by way of support. This is something the government of Tonga will reach its own decision on."
The High Commissioner to Tonga, Mark Talbot.
The New Zealand Government has said it is contributing 50,000 dollars in initial aid.
