New Zealand Red Cross supplies and personnel have been delivered to Tuvalu this afternoon after the country declared a state of emergency following water shortages.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully says a New Zealand Defence Force Hercules left this morning to transport supplies, which included two desalination units as well as water containers.
Severe water shortages in the capital, Funafuti and a number of outer islands led to the state of emergency.
Two foreign affairs staff are on the mission including the High Commissioner to Tuvalu, who will remain in the country to help assess needs on the ground.
RadioLIVE