New Zealand has donated hundreds of emergency shelter kits and a further $300,000 to help residents of cyclone-hit Tonga.

Officials in Tonga say it's 'almost unbelievable' there weren't more fatalities in the devastation caused by a powerful cyclone that smashed 400 houses.

Tropical Cyclone Ian has cleared Tonga leaving in its wake the death of at least one person and the destruction of infrastructure.

At least one person has been killed in a cyclone that has ravaged parts of Tonga, as organisations rushed to get supplies to thousands of people affected.

At least one person has been killed in a cyclone that has ravaged parts of Tonga. Aid organisations were last night rushing to get supplies to thousands of people affected in the worst-hit group of islands, Ha'apai. These images are from the RNZAF P3 Orion.

One person is thought to have died after a tropical cyclone tore through northern Tonga last night, media reports say.

A tropical cyclone warning is in place for Tonga, where thousands of people are battening down as Cyclone Ian approaches.

Two Tongan police officers, one an inspector, have been committed for trial charged with the manslaughter of New Zealand policeman Kali Fungavaka.

The hunt is on for more than 40 Tongan criminals who obtained "clean records" from their homeland authorities to get New Zealand visas.

A Kiwi policeman who died in Tonga suffered heavy blows to the head and was allegedly beaten repeatedly by five local police officers and a prisoner.

The King of Tonga arrives in New Zealand today, with his wife and the Minister of Education.

Tongan police are under investigation after it was revealed the criminal records of 33 people were wiped in order to gain visas to enter New Zealand.

Abby Gillies dives into the world of the humpback whale, in the blue seas surrounding Tonga.

After a dramatic high-seas rescue, a Kiwi sailor tells of fear and misery on a crippled yacht during a Pacific storm.

A New Zealand woman and her partner rescued from their damaged yacht in a Pacific storm say they are grateful to be alive after a long ordeal.

Two people trapped on a stricken yacht 1260km northwest of New Zealand have been rescued by a cargo ship this morning.

Three more Tongan police officers, including a senior inspector, have been charged with the manslaughter of New Zealand police officer Kali Fungavaka.

Six men, including five Tongan police officers, have been freed on bail after being charged with the manslaughter of New Zealand police officer Kali Fungavaka.