Kiwi missing in Nepal since first quake turns up safe and sound

Tents are seen from an airplane window in an open field next to Tribhuwan International Airport in Nepal. Photo / AP

A New Zealander who had been unaccounted for since the first earthquake in Nepal has been identified as safe and sound in Kathmandu after a second devastating tremor.

Peter Curreen, 63, from Marlborough has made contact to say he is safe and well, after Nepal was rocked by a magnitude 7.3 quake on Tuesday, less than three weeks after the devastating April 25 quake that left more than 8000 dead.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Wednesday said there were 45 New Zealanders registered on Safe Travel as being in Nepal.

Yesterday, the ministry said consular staff in India and Nepal had been establishing whether any New Zealanders had been affected.

"All the New Zealanders registered on SafeTravel as being in Nepal at the time of the second earthquake on May 12 have been contacted," a spokesperson said.

"We continue to advise against all tourist and other non-essential travel to Nepal."

Meanwhile, a Canterbury University student who founded a volunteer movement in Christchurch following the Canterbury earthquakes is making his way to Nepal for the second time.

Sam Johnson first went to Nepal for just over a week with the Global Peace Foundation, part of the Asia Pacific Alliance, three days after the first earthquake hit the country.

He said his return was part of a long-term plan to teach young people how to be leaders in their communities, "so they can be really engaged in the whole recovery, not one little flash bang in the [pan]".

Mr Johnson led the Student Volunteer Army in the wake of the earthquakes in Christchurch and said he wanted to pass on what he had learned from the experience.

However, he said it was important to work in collaboration with locals to build knowledge, rather than go in with a "save the day" mentality.

"The important thing is that it's not a white guy flying in with the answers, which is the perception that's sometimes out there."

He planned to stay for two to three weeks, helping rebuild school classrooms in remote Himalayan villages.

Mr Johnson wanted to talk with larger aid agencies already stationed in Nepal to figure out where he could be of most use. NZME.