Two a penny

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New Zealand and Australia will each give $NZ6.18 million to the Samoan Government for tsunami recovery and reconstruction efforts.

The money will help Samoa rebuild its infrastructure, restore essential services, and begin the process of economic recovery, foreign ministers Stephen Smith and Murray McCully said today. More than 150 people, including eight New Zealanders, died in Samoa, Tonga and American Samoa.Samoa was devastated by huge waves which struck on September 29 following a massive quake.The ministers said while emergency aid was provided by both countries soon after the tsunami struck, the priority would now be rebuilding communities, including housing, water, power, and roads.New Zealand has already donated $2m. .”The Samoan Government had effectively co-ordinated the response to the disaster and was quickly identifying priorities for recovery and reconstruction.”Australia and New Zealand will continue to co-ordinate our Samoan recovery and reconstruction efforts over the coming weeks.”Waikato sisters Rebecca, 24, and Petria Martin, 22, were among the New Zealanders who died.”This $A10 million trans-Tasman package of budget support provides Samoa with the ability to rebuild its infrastructure, restore essential services, and begin the process of economic recovery.Their father, Kerry, gave the eulogy and questioned why his daughters – the middle two of four sisters – died.They were farewelled in Matamata yesterday, with about 800 people turning out for their service.”Why Rebecca and Petria? We may never have the answers to these questions,” the Herald on Sunday reported.”Why Rebecca and Petria? We may never have the answers to these questions,” the Herald on Sunday reported.They had saved enough money to buy a house together and had found one shortly before they left for Samoa.”Rebecca taught at Rototuna Primary School, 9km north of Hamilton, and Petria was a team leader at Matamata’s sports centre.It is taking 10 containers of equipment to the islands courtesy of the fund-raising efforts and donations here by New Zealanders – many with relatives caught up in the tragedy.The navy ship HMNZS Canterbury departed for Samoa and Tonga yesterday laden with supplies.