1:13 PM |
Tonga raising funds to aid NZ quake victims
Updated
Tonga is launching an appeal to help victims of the recent earthquake which hit the New Zealand city of Christchurch. It's a reversal of the normal situation, in which New Zealand has assisted Tonga with many natural disasters over the years. Tonga's prime minister, Dr Fred Sevele, says the gesture is a symbol of the way the Tongan and New Zealand people come to each other's assistance in times of need.
Presenter: Bruce Hill
Speaker: Tonga's prime minister, Dr Fred Sevele
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DR SEVELE: The government will be making a donation towards the earthquake appeal fund in Christchurch and I will be launching this week a nationwide appeal for us Tongans to donate to the victims of that appeal fund or to the victims of the earthquake.
HILL: Why are you doing this? I mean usually aid flows from New Zealand to Tonga, not in the other direction?
DR SEVELE: Even the poor man, if he can donate a penny will go a long way. We will get some money but at the same time, it is thought behind it. Because the government of New Zealand, the people of New Zealand have almost always been the first to come to Tonga's assistance in case of natural disasters. It has always been the case and our nearest neighbours or the government of countries and that, therefore I feel and members of cabinet feel and a lot of people here have now said to be volunteered that they will be taking part in the organising this national appeal for donations towards the Christchurch earthquake fund.
HILL: How do you think Tongans will respond? Might there be some who say well, your giving money from a poor country and sending it to a rich country, do they really need the money?
DR SEVELE: No, I think if you look at the paper there, John Key said this is one of the costliest natural disasters that New Zealand has been struck and we, I mean we can spare a few bob to assist however small they may be. It shows that even our richer neighbours, when they are in need, we should come to assist in whatever way we can and no matter how small it is. It is the feeling of sympathy, the feeling of wanting to assist those in the circumstances that really matters.
HILL; How do you think the Tongans will respond to your appeal, do you think they will dig deep and give generously?
DR SEVELE: Well, I think the Tongans, I think we have the Tongans who I have talked to, they said yes, this is a worthy cause. In some way we are repaying the many kindness that has been shown to us by the people of New Zealand over the years.
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