Tonga: NZ asked to help fund recovery of bodies

New Zealand is being asked to help fund the recovery of bodies from the sunken ferry Princess Ashika.

Alani Taione, a spokesman for the Tonga Democratic Party, says recovering the bodies of loved ones is more important than money.

He is asking Prime Minister John Key and the New Zealand Government to help.

Experts say the salvage would cost around $25 million.

Mr Taione, who lost an aunt and an uncle in the tragedy, claims the Tongan Government does not want a salvage operation to go ahead because it might provide evidence which would paint Tongan members of parliament in a bad light.

Mr Taione is organising a memorial march in Auckland next week for the victims of the sinking.

- NEWSTALK ZB