25 Feb 2016

Relief supplies head for Tonga's Vava'u

7:26 am on 25 February 2016
Power lines down after Cyclone Winston hit Vava'u

Power lines down after Cyclone Winston hit Vava'u Photo: Oxfam NZ

A Tongan patrol boat will depart for Vava'u tonight loaded with relief supplies for areas struck by cyclone Winston last week.

The cyclone passed to the north of the island group last week as a category four, it only caused minor damage to infrastructure but crops have been severely affected.

The Director of the National Emergency Management Office, Leveni 'Aho, says the boat's supplies consist of kits to help in the recovery, as well as items sent from family members in Nuku'alofa.

He told Radio Tonga the shipment includes aid from Oxfam and Caritas, and is the outcome of consultation with the New Zealand government.