A ship carrying a container laden with roofing iron is on its way from New Zealand to Tonga to help repair cyclone damage at one of the country's biggest employers.
The Auckland branch of the Otago University Alumni association has brought together firms such as Metalcraft, Fletchers and Matson Shipping to deliver the material to Nishi Trading.
Pacific Trade and Invest's Michael Greenslade, who co-ordinated the aid, said Nishi Trading was probably the biggest commercial packhouse in Tonga.
"It employs a lot of people and it also provides the opportunity for Tonga growers to pack and present their produce both for the local market and of course the export market. So in other words this all creates the tills to move again and pushes the economy back into that space of normality," said Michael Greenslade.
Michael Greenslade said the group was hoping the container, which has about $US28,000 dollars of product in it, will be the first of several for the businesses and people of Tonga.