Rt Hon Winston Peters
Minister of Foreign Affairs

4 April 2007

Tsunami body returning to New Zealand

Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the body of Mr Teangauki Toma, who died when a tsunami struck the western Solomon Islands on Monday, will return to New Zealand tonight on an RNZAF Hercules.

"A unique set of circumstances allowed us to assist in repatriating Mr Toma's body to New Zealand," Mr Peters said.

"Given we had an Air Force Hercules in the Solomons that was scheduled to return to New Zealand today with a contingent of soldiers, it made sense to help Mr Toma's family by putting his body on board.

"The help of the New Zealand Defence Force in repatriating the body on the Hercules is greatly appreciated."

ENDS

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