New Zealand is poised to rush supplies to Tonga after the Pacific kingdom was hit by Cyclone Gita.
The category 4 cyclone battered the country on Monday night, and a state of emergency was declared amid reports of widespread damage.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade emergency management team
and Defence Force aircraft were at the ready, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told TV3's The AM Show on Tuesday.
Officials were waiting for first light so the damage can be surveyed.
"We will be waiting for the Tongan government to tell us exactly what their needs are, as soon as they are able, and then we can essentially kick in our response as soon as possible," Ardern said.
