Three adults and two children among those confirmed to have died in Wednesday's tragedy.

Oscar Kightley was home in Samoa this year as the people prepared for a tsunami - now he contemplates the challenge of rebuilding a nation.

Samoan teacher Kalolo Punefu says she feels lucky to be alive after wall of water destroyed her village.

84-year-old South Auckland grandmother is among those confirmed dead.

A naked 84-year-old Lemafa Atia'e wasn't afraid as he clung for his life to his neighbour's steel house post while waves crashed over him.

Ana Lulai and Rachel Loane were cousins and best friends. They had just finished breakfast on Wednesday and were preparing for school. Then the waves hit.

"I knew something was coming. Something in my head said: if the quake is that big, it means it was close."

Parents blame themselves for child's death because they tried to flee torrent in a rental car instead of running for high ground, says a family friend.

Lucky survivors of Samoa's deadly tsunami looked like they'd been "churned up in a mass of dirty washing machines" says a surgeon helping on the ground.

More tales of survival and tragedy emerge from the tsunami battered islands.

Na toetoe ina tutulu le Palemia a Samoa Afioga Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi i le po anapo a o fai lana saunoaga i le atunuu.

Members of Parliament are working alongside members of the public as a huge international relief effort gets under way in Samoa and Tonga.

Samoa’s Prime Minister was near tears last night as he addressed his tsunami-hit nation.

Travellers returning from Samoa speak out about their experiences.