NZ woman 'holds on to hope'

Elisapeta Ofa goes to Tonga today to comfort her father while the search for her mother, brother and sister continues. Photo / Brett Phibbs

A New Zealand woman faced with the loss of her mother and two siblings in the Tongan ferry tragedy is trying to "hold on to hope" and be strong for the rest of the family.

Elisapeta Tahahau Ofa leaves Auckland for Tonga today to join her struggling family, who were still waiting last night for news of their loved ones after the sinking of the interisland ferry, the Princess Ashika.

"I can't imagine what's going on in my Dad's mind. All I need to do is go over there and give him a hug," Mrs Ofa told the Weekend Herald.

"I'm the oldest of 12 [children], so I have to be strong for everybody, and especially for my Dad."

Her mother, Atelete Mailangi, 63, her brother, Baula Mailangi, 20, and sister Tapuaki Mailangi, 23, were returning home from a trip when the vessel sank on Wednesday.

Mrs Ofa, of Christchurch, said her mother was not in good health and probably would not have been able to save herself.

However, she felt there was a chance her two siblings could have swum to safety to one of the smaller islands in the Nomuka group.

"We are still holding on to hope. But I think it's not (become real) for me at the moment ... until I get to Tonga, and it will hit me.

"We are just wishing and hoping that if they find bodies, that will be better than nothing."

Baula Mailangi had Down syndrome and was the "spoilt" baby of the family, while Tapuaki Mailangi was described as Mrs Ofa's "little twin sister ... because we look exactly the same".

Mrs Ofa said she wanted to know why members of the ferry crew survived when many passengers had not.

"Normally the crews do look after the people first, before themselves.

"These are the questions we have ... but we don't blame anybody because we don't know what is the situation."