Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More
Top Scoops

Book Reviews | Gordon Campbell | Scoop News | Wellington Scoop | Community Scoop | Search

 

Scoop Audio: Helicopters deployed, PM to Samoa

Scoop Audio: Tsunami Response Update. NZDF deploys Helicopters, PM to visit Samoa

By Spike Mountjoy


Click for big version

Acting Prime Minister Bill English

See below for audio (in two parts) of this afternoons Pacific tsunami press conference update

  • Scoop Audio: The New Zealand Government is contributing one million dollars to the Samoan and Tongan relief efforts, a move Acting Prime Minister Bill English describes as the beginning of an ongoing financial commitment to help the tsunami ravaged region.

    A New Zealand Iroquois helicopter will be transported to Samoa later today by an Australian Hercules, with another NZ Iroquois ready to be deployed tomorrow.

    The helicopters will be used to carry out a detailed survey of the damage, and could be used to get relief to areas not accessible by road.

    The airport on the Tongan island Niuatoputapu is still unusable, and the government there is expected to ask New Zealand for help later today.

    Bill English says preliminary estimates by engineers in Samoa suggest repairing the roads on the island nation could cost as much as $90 million.

    Foreign Minister Murray McCully will head to Samoa on Friday, and Prime Minister John Key will arrive in Apia on Saturday.

    Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Part One

Press Play To Start Audio Playing….






DOWNLOAD MP3

Part Two

Press Play To Start Audio Playing….






DOWNLOAD MP3


ENDS

© Scoop Media

 
 
 
Top Scoops Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.