Cabinet will consider further aid to Samoa over coming days with the commitment "significantly greater" than the $2 million already committed, Prime Minister John Key said this morning.
Samoa was battered by a tsunami following a 8.3-magnitude undersea quake on Tuesday with at least 135 dead and the toll continuing to rise.
New Zealand pledged immediate help and had sent specialist help such as infectious disease experts, engineers and the navy dive team.
"It's very important that we work with them on exactly what they need, they need specialist things at the moment," Mr Key said this morning.
Further aid would be decided on soon.
"I think we should be generous. They are our good friends in the Pacific and they need help. Initial estimates I've had is maybe as much as $200 million to repair Samoa back to its previous condition," Mr Key said.
The $2m for immediate efforts would be followed by a much bigger commitment.
"In terms of the medium term rebuild it would be my expectation that Cabinet would consider that over the next week or so.
Speaking on Newstalk ZB he added the commitment would be a "significantly greater number" than $2m.
Meanwhile, Mr Key, who visited Samoa on Friday local time to assess damage, did not intend to attend a mass memorial service on Thursday (Friday NZT) out of concern that his presence could get in the way of mourners grieving.
"I asked the Prime Minister (Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi) ... the view was that that's an event better to be left for the families and friends and the risk is that dignitaries can get in the way at those kinds of events."
NZPA
Listen to John Key talk to Marcus Lush on RadioLIVE.