$200,000 for cyclone-hit Cook Islands

The New Zealand Government has made an initial contribution of $200,000 to the cyclone-hit Cook Islands as a second cyclone bears down on neighbouring Pacific Islands.

Tropical cyclone Pat blasted the Cooks yesterday, causing widespread damage to the island of Aitutaki.

It has now been downgraded to a tropical storm and has moved into open waters.

Up to 90 per cent of houses in Aitutaki sustained damage, Foreign Minister Murray McCully said today.

"Thankfully there have been no reported deaths or serious injuries.

"Today's funding is a first step and the New Zealand Government will continue to work with Cook Island authorities to see how we can best help.'

Meanwhile tropical cyclone Rene is beginning to make its presence felt on Tonga, Samoa and Fiji.

The New Zealand Red Cross said it was assisting with preparations on those islands.

International operations manager Andrew McKie, said it was "issuing warnings, identifying people who might need special assistance to evacuate (eg older people or those with disabilities), securing infrastructure and making sure all satellite phones are charged and working".

- NZPA