Kiwi death toll rises in tsunami

The Government says eight New Zealanders have been killed in Samoa's tsunami - one more than originally thought.

There are now eight confirmed New Zealand deaths - six adults and two young children, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said tonight. 

The latest confirmed death is of a New Zealander who was visiting Samoa and who has, until now, been on the list of Samoan casualties.

The ministry said it would not be releasing names or further details. "We have now accounted for almost all New Zealanders who were thought to be in Samoa at the time of the tsunami," a statement said.

Meanwhile Samoan sporting stars David Tua and Inga Tuigamala head to Samoa tomorrow to find out what it needs in the wake of last week's devastating tsunami.

Boxer Tua and former All Black and rugby league star Tuigamala will travel with the New Zealand-based Samoa Tsunami 2009 Appeal Committee, led by Consul General Faolotoi Reupena.

It would work with the Samoa National Relief Disaster Council to identify immediate relief needs and what New Zealand could do to help.

The delegation, which included New Zealand-based Samoan community leaders, would return on October 10.

In Samoa, a New Zealand Navy dive team has repaired a water pipeline to restore water to Manono Island, just off the main island of Upolu, after it fractured five days ago, leaving 800 locals without fresh water, a Defence Force statement said.

The dive team arrived on Saturday, cleared debris from the pipeline and repaired four fractures.

The job was completed on Sunday, but testing on the water was still required to ensure it was safe to drink.

A local engineer, accompanied by New Zealand Defence Force personnel and NZAID, was to assess the water tank and make other engineering assessments today.

The dive team would now relocate to assess damage to another water pipe to the island of Namu'a.

New Zealand army engineers and police teams were continuing to search for survivors on Samoa's southeast coast.

Air Force Iroquois helicopters were distributing aid, transporting engineers to check water tanks, providing aerial photos of affected areas and moving NZDF and NZ police personnel.

Defence Force medics and an air force Boeing 757 were also involved in the assistance effort.

The HMNZS Canterbury would be loaded from 7pm tonight to be ready in case the government decided to send the ship to Samoa.

- NZPA