Salamasina Taufua tried desperately to keep her 8-month-old baby above water before Samoa's tsunami forced her to let her go.

New Zealand tourists have told of their terror when the tsunami smashed through their Samoan beach resort.

The tsunami death toll reaches at least 149 as new tales of devastation emerge.

Many of the Kiwis in a Samoan hospital suffered internal injuries when struck by the seven metre high tsunami waves, says a NZ MP who visited them.

Well-intentioned helpers could place extra pressure on already scarce resources, says pastor.

Aid has begun arriving in Samoa in what will be an ongoing effort as the scale of devastation from the quake and tsunami becomes clear.

Reporter Edward Gay is at Auckland Airport speaking with people who have flown from Apia this morning.

Reporter Edward Gay is at Auckland Airport speaking with people who have flown from Apia this morning.

The death toll for tourists in Samoa could rise in some areas where the tsunami warning system may not have worked so well.

A salty smell hangs over the devastated Samoan village of Lalomanu as police teams pick their way through the debris looking for bodies.

Residents and visitors in Samoa describe the terror of knowing what would be next after a massive quake rocked the tiny island nation

Salamasina Taufua was basking in the sun yesterday watching her three young children playing on the sand when a tsunami swept all three away.

A team of Army medics is flying to Samoa to join a civilian medical team that left NZ late last night as the death toll from the tsunami rises.

Read here for the latest news following the Samoan earthquake and tsunami.

Nine New Zealanders are now confirmed injured, and one dead, in today's Samoan tsunami.

Horror stories are emerging in the aftermath of today's 8.3 magnitude quake and tsunami in Samoa.