Anxious wait for Samoan travellers

Anxious family and friends of people who were in Samoa yesterday have gathered at Auckland International Airport to meet Polynesian Blue flight DJ92, which has just arrived from Apia.

Meolo Roberts from Mangere is waiting for his uncle to arrive with news of his family.

Mr Roberts said there have been some problems with the phone lines but he had been told his sister, who also lives in Samoa, was safe after reaching higher ground before yesterday's tsunami hit.

"This is the first time this has happened to Samoa and all the people are shocked," he said.

Mr Roberts said his family had been desperately trying to get information and have been watching the news.

Elisa Nikita Tauiliili said her grandfather received injuries to his to hit legs after his "little house fell on him" on the island of Upolu.

She said the rest of her family is safe and she is waiting for her husband to arrive from Apia.

Mrs Tauiliili said trying to get in touch with family yesterday was hard and she had to make seven phone calls before getting through, but she eventually managed to speak with someone who is looking after her grandfather.

Ropati Falaniki said his family was safe but the phonelines were jammed when he tried to reach them yesterday.

He said it was an anxious wait to get news but he was glad when it did come through.

"That's the good news from me."