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A Tongan bank worker's heroic actions have helped save many of her fellow villagers.
Mafi Lutui manages the Tongan Development Bank in Hihifo, a tiny settlement on the island of Niuatoputapu. In an email forwarded to the Weekend Herald, Ms Lutui tells of her reaction when a tsunami warning was issued after Wednesday's big shake.
The survival instinct kicked in, she said.
"I got my elderly mother-in-law and daughter into the van and we drove towards the bank. Halfway down, I saw the big wave coming towards us."
The water simply lifted up the bank, and pushed it towards the road, she said.
"All I can do was to go into reverse gear, put my foot to the floor, picked up all the people running on the road and headed towards the high ground.
"The wave was about 10 metres behind us. I just kept praying and asked God for clarity and trying to keep the van in control.
After depositing the others in "a safe high place", Ms Lutui returned to see if she could help others.
"All I could see was ruin."
But a day after the tsunami, she found her bank's safe poking up in the sea at low tide.
"I opened it and the money cash boxes were still intact. Everything inside was soaking wet. I have locked all the money and it's in the FWC [church] safe ... and will recount the money this morning."
Her email indicates that she is keen to get the bank business under way again.
"Appreciate all the office stationaries to come on the next [ship] so we could start up by next week."
That attitude was typical of Ms Lutui, who had volunteered to go to the remote Hihifo branch because she wanted to serve the community, her boss Simione Sefanaia said.
On Niuatoputapu, nine people have been confirmed dead and 83 homes have been destroyed in the villages of Hihifo and Falehau.
Vaipoa village had seven homes wiped away.
Red Cross workers were distributing sacks of sugar and flour, noodles and crackers as well blankets, tarpaulins, hurricane lamps and cooking utensils yesterday. They have one of the few satellite phones on the island but were unreachable yesterday.
Tongan Government spokesman Alfred Soakai said a headcount by officials on the island found 844 people. However, a Census in 2006 put the island's population at just over 1000. More people are expected to eventually make their way down from the bush, he said. Immediate priorities included getting the telephone system up and running and bringing in generators.
A NZ Air Force Orion flew over the island yesterday taking photos of the damage which will be passed on to the Tongan Government. In Auckland Melino Maka, the chairman of the Tongan Advisory Council, said he was concerned that there didn't seem to be many international aid agencies heading to Niuatoputapu.
How you can help
Pacific Cooperation Foundation
Deposits can be made at at any Westpac branch. All the money raised will go to the Samoan Government
Red Cross
- Make a secure online donation at redcross.org.nz
- Send cheques to the Samoan Red Cross Fund, PO Box 12140, Thorndon, Wellington 6144
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- Make a donation at any NZ Red Cross office
ANZ bank
Make a donation at any ANZ bank branch, or donate directly to the ANZ appeal account: 01 1839 0143546 00
Oxfam
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Oxfam.org.nz
- Phone 0800 400 666 or make an automatic $20 donation by calling 0900 600 20
