NEW ZEALAND REPORTS LITTLE TO NO EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000342 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/FO, EAP/ANP AND DS/IP/EAP PACOM FOR JO1E/J2/J233/J5/SJFHQ E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV TN NZ SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND REPORTS LITTLE TO NO EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE IN TONGA ¶1. New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) reports there have been no casualties and little to no property damage in the capital of Nuku'alofa and the outer islands. MFAT says the Tongan National Emergency-Disaster Office reports no casualties and little to no property damage in Ha'apai, the island nearest to the epicenter. There have been no reports of structural damage. ¶2. The NZ High Commissioner to Tonga, Michael McBride, reported broken plates at his residence sustained from the prolonged, 30-second quake and an initial overloading of the phone system in Nuku'alofa. However, McBride said the social situation had returned to normal, with locals playing touch rugby in the street. Initial situation reports from New Zealand's missions to Apia, Cook Islands and Niue were similar, reporting no casualties and little to no property damage. As the earthquake has apparently had little impact, GNZ plans no special assistance to the region at this time. McCormick