'It's the unknown': Waikato Tongan community worried about loved ones

Monday, 17 January 2022

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says communication between all of the islands in Tonga has been difficult following eruption and tsunami.

Mefi Naufahu has tried so many times to get hold of his brother’s family in Tonga, with no luck so far.

The Waikato Tongan Community chairman said no one in the community had heard from the islands after the dual disaster of tsunami waves after a volcanic eruption on Saturday evening, but everyone was praying for a good outcome.

And, while waiting with bated breath for news, the community is formulating a plan to help loved ones back home.

“It’s scary. I don’t know how to feel at the moment,” Naufahu said.

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Not knowing what’s going on is scary, Waikato Tongan Community chairman Mefi Naufahu said.

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Photos from the Facebook page of Haloti Ulufonua on Lifuka island in Ha'apai show rubble, trees and rocks scattered across the streets after the tsunami in Tonga.

He came to New Zealand in 1996 and his two children reside here, but he can't contact his brother, sister-in-law, and three of the pair’s six children, who were in the village of Haveluliku on the main island Tongatapu.

He was worried about them, and said the unknown carnage and lack of communication was scary. His brother also has three more children who are in New Zealand.

Phone and internet communications to and from Tonga are likely to be limited for weeks because the fibre-optic subsea cable connecting Tonga to Fiji was believed to have been cut at sea.

Kiwis have been urged to donate cash rather than goods, due to the difficulties in transporting supplies to the stricken islands.

Naufahu had been desperately trying to get hold of his relatives, but was not having any luck.

“I’ve been trying, and trying, and trying. It’s the unknown.

“I am just hoping they are okay.”

Tongans in Waikato were meeting on Monday afternoon to support each other, and formulate a plan to help the islands when they could.

“We know that water will be a major concern to Tonga since it is covered with ash from the volcano.”

He said most islands depended on rain water for consumption, and he was concerned the disaster was not yet over.

“It’s very hard because there is still a tsunami warning and still volcanic activity. It’s not finished yet.”

He encouraged people in the Tongan community to reach out for support. He could be contacted on 0277334953 or mefiandmargaret@gmail.com.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday the aircraft C-130 Hercules would depart New Zealand for Tonga with much-needed provisions.

It followed the departure of an Orion plane on Monday morning tasked with assessing the impact of the tsunami and eruption.