NP man praying for Fiji family

IN THE LINE OF FIRE: A satellite image showing cyclone Tomas in the South Pacific.

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New Plymouth man Joeli Nakuta has only prayer to help his many family members in Fiji where the powerful Cyclone Tomas is expected to hit.

"I spoke to them on the phone and they are preparing for the worst.

"They have flashlights and first aid kits and food and water. They have done all they can and now they can only wait," said Mr Nakuta who moved to New Zealand five years ago.

His brother and sister still live in Fiji, on the eastern side of the main island, Viti Levu, near the capital, Suva.

Having experienced such cyclones in Fiji before, Mr Nakuta said nothing was safe from its power and many houses would almost certainly be destroyed in the winds and expected flooding.

Such events made the distance between his homeland and New Zealand all the greater, he said.

"We don't know what to expect. I know they are preparing for the worst, but we will be praying that does not happen," he said.

It is still unknown whether there were any Taranaki residents on the islands.

However, Fiji is popular with Taranaki travellers and agents said it was highly likely there would be some locals in the area.

Travel agent Toni Watene from Harvey World Travel in New Plymouth said it had had some clients in Fiji this week, but it appeared they had decided to come home early, although they hadn't contacted the agency for their flights.

United Travel manager Sharon Herlihy, also in New Plymouth, said it would usually have clients in Fiji, but fortunately not at the moment.

"It is very popular for Kiwis. Usually people go to the main island, Viti Levu, or to the nearby island resorts," she said.

The cyclone season was traditionally from November until March, so this was the time to expect bad weather, Mrs Herlihy said.

Flights to Fiji from New Zealand and Australia were cancelled last night.

- © Fairfax NZ News