HMNZS AOTEAROA

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Australian aid ships arrive in Tonga after tsunami

The HMNZS 'Aotearoa' was the first international aid supply ship which arrived in Tonga’s capital from New Zealand on Jan 21, 2022, six days after the island nation was hit by a devastating tsunami, and one day after a Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130 Hercules arrived carrying the first flight disaster relief items, followed by another from Australia. The HMNZS 'Aotearoa' arrived in Nuku’alofa loaded with 250,000 liters of drinking water and the capacity to produce 70,000 liters per day. Water supply contamination by volcanic ash and sea water has made the shortage of drinking water one of the most urgent problems the country is facing. Trucks from National Emergency Management Office have begun collecting and delivering water supplies from the 'Aotearoa'. The HMNZS 'Wellington' arrived in Tonga on Jan 20 with hydrographers immediately deployed to survey approaches to Nuku’alofa, with its Navy divers also checking the integrity of the wharf infrastructure. Another ship, the HMNZS 'Canterbury', was also being prepared to join the deployment overnight on Jan 21 with two NH90 helicopters on board. The ship will transport items such as tarpaulins, water containers, milk powder and engineering equipment.