John Key has arrived in Samoa to see for himself the destruction caused by this week's earthquake and tsunami.

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.

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

The death toll from this week's devastating tsunamis rose to at least 180 yesterday, as a fresh earthquake rattled the region around Samoa.

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.

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.

Travellers returning from Samoa speak out about their experiences.

Andy and Angie Belcher didn't even have time to unpack their bags before the tsunami hit.

As day breaks the clean-up begins in the coastal area of south-east Upolu Island, which bore the brunt of the post-quake sea surge.

A journalist with the Samoan Observer describes the fear and heartbreak as the terrible events unfolded.

Actress and psychologist Pamela Stephenson described the earthquake in Samoa as scary as hell.