Tonga

A week after the category four storm severely damaged parts of Tongatapu and 'Eua, only pockets of the community have power and many are still working to clean up their properties.

Emergency Management staff and aid agencies have been working to distribute supplies to the hardest hit areas.

But the President of the Free Wesleyan Church, Rev Dr Finau 'Ahio, says people's emotional state needs to be mended too.

Dr 'Ahio says his church has begun sending counsellors around the island.

“It will be an honour to have the Pacific Mission led by the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and is a further sign of the importance New Zealand attaches to our Pacific neighbours,” says Peters.

“The government carefully considered whether the Pacific Mission would impose a burden on Tonga and Samoa in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Gita.”

Pita Taufatofua finished 114th in the men's 15km freestyle on Friday, in only his sixth major race since taking up the sport little over a year ago.

The Head of Sport for the Royal Tonga Ski Federation, Steve Grundmann, said he performed above their expectations.

"The course is really tough, a lot of hills in it. Especially the first one and you have to do it twice - it's really long, really dragging," he said.

"But he was actually setting his pace very very carefully and he was actually also smiling so what else can you expect? It was fantastic."

While that still offers an interesting backdrop to the next four years, now that the 120 plus year old building has been completely demolished by last week's Cyclone Gita, an additional ingredient has been added to the mix.

On Friday, the Speaker of the House, Lord Fakafanua announced that parliament would temporarily be held at Nuku'alofa's Fa'onelua Convention Centre.

Fakafanua was sad to see the end of the CBD-based House.

He said it had hosted many historical events since 1892, such as the country's Constitution, the Land Act and the political reforms of 2010.

Despite this Tongans everywhere gathered in church on Sunday in a show of unity and thanksgiving.

Bells echoed across the island yesterday morning as people made their way into the many churches scattered throughout the community.

Despite the fact many parishioners were without power and had suffered heavy damage to property, they seemed happy to come to church.

Cyclone Gita swept through the Tongan islands of 'Eua and Tongatapu leaving most people without power and water and others without a home, three days ago.

Nearly 200 homes were completely destroyed on the islands of Tongatapu and 'Eua but Emergency Management director, Leveni 'Aho, said he knows there were a number of other people whose homes are without a roof.

It has been raining intermittently in the country since Cyclone Gita struck and Mr 'Aho said this made it even more important to reach those people.

The recovery effort continues in the Kingdom after Cyclone Gita tore through the Tonga on Monday.

The Speaker of the House, Lord Fakafanua, made the announcement saying in the spirit of resilience, the parliament would temporarily sit at the Nuku'alofa based convention centre.

The now destroyed parliament had been used since 1892 and was in the past also used as a judicial court house.

The next session of parliament is set to begin on March 5.

The New Zealand Defence Force said agriculture tool kits, family hygiene kits, collapsible water containers, tarpaulins, generators and chainsaw packs were all on board.

Air Commodore Kevin McEvoy said he hoped the supplies would provide basic power, water and sanitation for people.

He said there was also equipment to clear fallen trees.

Most of Tonga remained without power and running water in the wake of Gita.

Derek Leonard owns and runs a coffee plantation in Veitongo - a small rural village in the middle of Tongatapu.

A convoy of eight trucks manned with Emergency Management personnel, military, National Youth Congress members and Caritas aid agency staff wove its way to the north-eastern districts of Tongatapu on Friday.

Half of the villages that needed assistance were still waiting, and Emergency Management Office Director Leveni 'Aho had already expressed concern about the speed of the distribution.

But transparency trumps speed in the process at the moment.

Competing in only his sixth major race, the 34 year-old completed his run in 56 minutes and 41 seconds.

Pita Taufatofua, who took up cross-country skiing just over a year ago, finished ahead of four other competitors in South Korea, and more than 23 minutes behind the gold medallist, Dario Cologna from Switzerland.

Head of Sport for the Royal Tonga Ski Federation, Steve Grundmann, said it was a fantastic race by the double Olympian.

He said Pita Taufatofua paced his way perfectly around a difficult course and even had a smile on his face.