Waikato tourists turn hands to cyclone aid

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Waikato tourists stuck in cyclone-hit Fiji are helping clear debris and erect shelters on a storm-devastated island.

The confirmed death toll from Cyclone Tomas is one, but there were unconfirmed reports from the Fiji Disaster Management Office of six deaths in the wake of the storm hitting the north and eastern part of the country on Monday. Hundreds of houses have been knocked down, and more than 12,000 people are in evacuation centres.

Five New Zealanders hunkered down at a resort as the island of Qamea was hit by winds well in excess of 200kmh. They managed to call home by satellite phone yesterday.

Ron Eckstrom, who co-owns the resort, said they were safe but trees all over the island had been knocked down and villages that house more than 5000 people had been shattered.

"Two of our guests ... farmers, from Te Awamutu, had been there a few days and were getting bored. They're out there helping chop up fallen trees and we're just trying to set up shelters for the villagers."

Although there was food and drinking water and there were no reports of serious injury among the villagers, Mr Eckstrom did not have much faith in outside rescuers. "You can't wait for the Government because that will never happen."

Rescuers have still not reached a number of islands in the path of the cyclone, and fear a potential typhoid outbreak.

A New Zealand Air Force Hercules dropped emergency supplies into Vanua Levu yesterday – where a state of disaster remains in place – and flew a three-hour reconnaissance flight over other affected areas.

Isay: Are you, or do you have family or friends in cyclone hit Fiji? E-mail isay@waikatotimes.co.nz with your news and views.

- © Fairfax NZ News