HMNZS Canterbury is about to arrive at Epi island in Vanuatu after a short stop in the capital Port Vila.
HMNZS Canterbury Photo: NZDF
The ship is carrying Army personnel, an Urban Search and Rescue team from the Fire Service and a medical assessment team from the Ministry of Health.
Its Commanding Officer Simon Rook said the army contingent was keen to start helping with the rebuild following Cyclone Pam.
"They will be going to shore and looking at how to best restore basic infrastructure, so we're looking at things like water collection, water reticulation.
"Roading is a very important, and yet often overlooked task, so clearing felled trees off roadways and repairing things like roofs and wharfs on public buildings."
Goods being loaded onto the HMNZS Canterbury before it left for Port Vila. Photo: NZ Defence Force
He said personnel had been welcomed with open arms, and encountered nothing but gratitude since their arrival in Vanuatu.
