New Zealand's minister of foreign affairs, Murray McCully, has thanked Samoa for its generous donation of more than 45 thousand US dollars to the families of miners lost in the Pike River Mine disaster.
Mr McCully says it is a significant sum.
He says both now and following the Canterbury Earthquake, the people of Samoa have made generous and heartfelt contributions to support New Zealand's recovery.
The minister says these donations demonstrate the close bonds between the two countries, which are particularly appreciated in times of sorrow.
