Some in the Tongan community in Auckland say the Government has been too slow to respond to the devastating cyclone which ripped through Tonga over a week ago.
The Government has so far committed $500,000 cash and frontline assistance to the aid effort.
Will Ilolahia says cyclones in the Pacific are not uncommon so New Zealand should have been more prepared to help and act immediately.
He says the Tongan community has collected six containers full of emergency supplies to be ferried to families in need.
Mr Ilolahia wants the government to take some of the most urgent donations to Tonga on Hercules planes.
National Party MP Sam Lotu-Iiga says it would be unusual to fly that aid over instead of sending it by sea, but he will consider the request.
Meanwhile, the Government says Labour Party leader David Cunliffe has behaved in a petty and childish manner by criticising its response to the cyclone.
Mr Cunliffe believes the Government should have offered twice what it has.
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says that shooting from the lip is no way to deal with a serious natural disaster and the people of Tonga deserve more respect.
Mr McCully says the Government has worked closely with authorities and provided shelter, water and other emergency supplies and is now in discussions about support during the next phase.
