New Zealand Air Force Orion aircraft departing for tsunami-hit Tonga

WELLINGTON -- A Royal New Zealand Air Force Orion aircraft left Base Auckland on Monday morning for tsunami-hit Tonga to assist in an initial impact assessment of the area and low-lying islands.

"We are working hard to see how we can assist our Pacific neighbors after the volcanic eruption near Tonga," said a statement of the New Zealand Defense Force.

Tsunami waves hit Tonga on Saturday. The tsunami followed a series of violent eruptions from underwater volcano Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai, 65 km north of the country's main island Tongatapu.

The Orion aircraft to provide aerial surveillance was on stand-by on Sunday to wait for good atmospheric conditions and avoid hazards including ash fall.

"Our thoughts are with those who have been affected at this time," the statement said.

The National Emergency Management Agency has issued a national advisory to cancel a warning on tsunami activity in New Zealand issued on Saturday following the large eruption at Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'pai in Tonga.

The advice, based on ocean observations, is that the beach and marine threat has now passed for all areas, the agency said.

Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges will continue for up to another 24 hours in some locations around the entire country. People should remain vigilant and take extra precautions with regards to beach and ocean activities, it said.

New Zealand has pledged to provide support for Tonga following a volcanic eruption that sent tsunami waves crashing onto the Pacific Island.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told reporters at a Sunday media conference that the New Zealand government has made an initial sum of 500,000 New Zealand dollars ($340,000) available to provide assistance to Tonga.

The tsunami had a significant impact on part of the foreshore of Tonga, with boats and large boulders washed ashore and shops along the coast damaged, said Ardern.

There has been no official report of injuries or deaths yet. However, communications were interrupted and limited. The main undersea communications cable has been impacted, said Ardern.

Along with the Orion aircraft flight, New Zealand was considering the deployment of a naval ship should it being needed, she said, adding the New Zealand government was waiting to hear from the Tongan authorities about what was needed.

Ardern said one of the first requests from Tonga was for water supply, which could be severely affected in the fallout from the eruption.