SUPERYACHT INDUSTRY HELPS TONGA

The local superyacht industry in New Zealand, alongside superyachts in the region, is collecting aid and donations for the benefit of Tonga. The Pacific Island nation experienced a series of volcanic eruptions beginning on 14 January on the twin volcanic islands of Hunga Tonga-hunga Ha’apai, followed by a violent eruption on 15 January.

Members of the superyacht industry in New Zealand, led by the Pasifika Collective, rapidly mobilised to collect aid and send it to Tonga.

Superyachts Como and Sea Eagle II contributed goods including water and face masks, and many industry companies contributed products or financial donations in response to a list of urgently needed items supplied by NGOS.

The Pasifika Collective is a CSR initiative led by Mark Donaldson, who draws on his Samoan, Cook Island and New Zealand background, plus many years of experience in the global superyacht industry. The Pasifika Collective provides crisis management, education and community outreach throughout the Pacific.

The first shipment of aid left for the worst-affected islands of Mango, Atata, Nomuka, Fonoifua in late January. Contributing companies represented the breadth of the New Zealand industry and included Integrated Marine Group, Urban Sea, Westferry Superyacht Services, General Marine Services, Marinelogix, National Marine Pacific, Boat Books, NZ Marine, Oceania Medical and Albatross PR.

The Pasifika Collective is now seeking donations and assistance for further shipments of aid with goods needed including bottled water, rice, flour, cooking oil, sugar, cabin bread, canned foods, especially tinned fish and meat, toilet paper, tents, kerosene lamps, torches and rechargeable lanterns.