Ms Ardern says $500,000 was just a 'starting figure' and that her government would provide more help to Tonga as was required.
Parts of the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa suffered "significant" damage in the powerful volcanic eruption but there have been no reports of injury or deaths, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.Conditions at many places remain unknown and New Zealand authorities are hoping to send in reconnaissance aircraft as soon as it's safe
Communications with the Pacific island have been cut since Saturday's eruption damaged the undersea cable but Ms Ardern said her government had made contact with the New Zealand High Commission in the Tongan capital. "Nuku'alofa is covered in a thick film of volcanic dust but otherwise conditions are calm and stable."There has been no word on damage in Tonga's outer islands with New Zealand set to send an air force reconnaissance aircraft to fly over the region on Monday — if the volcanic ash cloud permits.
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