It typically adds $40 million to the local economy with 55,000 people in attendance.

The aid is from a trust set up for the purpose of disaster relief in the Pacific.

Shipping channels and wharves at the main port assessed before supply drop.

An aid flight from New Zealand is due to touch down in Tonga later this afternoon.

Photos from Tonga show thick layers of ash covering the streets, as locals get to work.

HMNZS Wellington and HMNZS Aotearoa expected to arrive in Tonga by Friday.

'An air drop option was considered, but was not the preference of the Tongan authorities.'

The reconnaissance flight sent to assess damage in Tonga has returned.

'Mum's been crying and singing and crying again.'

Pair in isolation at UAE military base.

Extraction teams could get people across land borders.

Sudden collapse of Afghanistan military caught everyone out, says NZDF chief.

Herald senior journalist Kurt Bayer reports on a 'digital Dunkirk'.

The New Zealand Defence Force says all of its personnel are safe.

Terror threats as overnight NZDF makes second successful evacuation flight.  

Government cites "rapidly deteriorating situation".

Group including elderly woman in wheelchair gets over sewage-filled canal to NZ soldiers.

Father who fled Taliban reduced to tears by news of family's dramatic rescue.

MFAT warns the situation is fragile and "changing rapidly".

NZDF would not confirm whether any special forces operatives were on board.

Bamiyan falls to Taliban: "It's gut-wrenching to see".

Pedersen also praised finding that her husband was "instrumental" in survival of crew.

The flight crew used night-vision goggles to land on an ice runway in 24-hour darkness.

The crew used night-vision goggles to land the aircraft in the dark on the ice runway.

Air Force crew risked own lives to save trio caught in 'raging torrents' in Canterbury.

Mystery still surrounds the decision of some crew to jump overboard.

Five crew still missing after jumping ship without lifesaving gear amid beheading claims.