Anxious family wait to hear from NZ teacher in Haiti

Samuel Picketts. Photo / Supplied

An Auckland teacher who was travelling to Haiti this week has not been heard from since the island nation's devastating earthquake.

The American family of 59-year-old Samuel Picketts - who teaches English and coaches volleyball at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate in Otara - say his silence is unusual.

Speaking to the Weekend Herald from Maryland, Mr Pickett's sister Taylor Walls said she had been sick with worry.

"Our whole family find it odd that Samuel has not made contact with us since the earthquake hit," she said. "He is so giving and a lovely friend to all he meets ... I know there are many who will respond and we pray he has emailed someone who can confirm they have spoken to him since Tuesday's disaster."

Mr Picketts, who previously worked at Mt Albert Grammar, "fell in love" with New Zealand while working here 10 years ago.

He always had a trip away at Christmas and had been in the Dominican Republic for five days when he called his family.

He was scheduled to go to Port-au-Prince, but had mentioned Cuba as a possible alternative destination.

"He always has legs of the trip that allow him flexibility," Ms Wall said.

But it was completely out of character for him not to ease family nerves after the quake.

"Normally he would call just to say, 'I'm fine'," Ms Walls said. "He always calls. He knows how we watch the news."

Mt Albert Grammar headmaster Dale Burden said Mr Picketts was well liked by students and very dedicated. "He used to put hours and hours and hours of extra time into the kids ... I just hope he's alright."

Last night, Ms Walls said she and family members were on "24-hour watch" praying for any news.

The family were frustrated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's lack of action.

As Mr Picketts is an American citizen, responsibility for consular assistance falls to United States authorities.

"This guy's been working for 10 years contributing to the country," said Ms Walls, "and nobody wants to know."