Today specialist New Zealand Defence Force staff will be busy checking Tonga's shipping lanes are passable and its main wharf is safe so desperately needed humanitarian supplies can get through.
So far there are three confirmed deaths after Saturday's massive volcanic eruption, and there are reports of significant injuries, but there have been no further details.
The offshore patrol vessel HMNZS Wellington carrying a helicopter, technical gear and teams has arrived in Tongan waters.
Hundreds of people, including the Tongan Armed Forces, cleared ash off the international runway allowing an Air Force Hercules to land yesterday afternoon.
United Nations officials say more than 80 percent of Tonga's population is impacted by the eruption.
The Commander of Joint Forces New Zealand Rear Admiral Jim Gilmour talks to Sarah Robson about the response in Tonga.
