Two businessmen have created a $500 Cristal champagne sorbet, topped with gold-leaf shavings, to raise money for Haiti earthquake victims.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully says NZ will do 'whatever we have to do' to assist cyclone-ravaged Fiji.

A resident on the tiny Fijian island of Cikobia, thought to be amongst the worst-hit by Cyclone Tomas, tells of massive destruction.

Cyclone Tomas was last evening holding its category four status, with estimated average winds of 170km/h, and gusts of up to 270km/h

Over 18,000 Fijians are in evacuation centres as Cyclone Tomas continues to slam its islands with rain and high winds. Officials say there have been more deaths.

A state of disaster has been declared in cyclone-ravaged Fiji by its prime minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.

New Zealanders in Fiji are being urged to register with the High Commission in Suva with a category four cyclone set to intensify overnight.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has announced a $5.5 million reconstruction package for Aitutaki following last month's cyclone.

Once-in-a-century flooding has caused hundreds of millions of dollars worth of damage in southwest Queensland.

Once-in-a-century flooding has caused hundreds of millions of dollars damage in southwest Queensland,.