Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) and PFL Chief Executive, Mrs Debbie Sorensen, says the response was a collective effort. 

"We are thankful that our close network of partners in the Canterbury region could move quickly to respond. Passengers were supported into temporary accommodation through local churches and their families, and our teams on the ground were able to organise food, clothing, bedding, essential items and provide logistical support. 

When there is a call for help from our communities, we answer."  

Partnerships Manager for PFL, Mr Antonio Filimoehala, recalls how thankful people were to not only be provided with physical support, but with health and well-being support too.  

"There were a few passengers with health issues, so clinicians from Etu Pasifika were onsite to go through health checks and make sure they had everything they needed.  

Etu Pasifika's Ngalu Fānifo [mental health] team also provided care to people who were anxious about being displaced, which was very reassuring."  

Latai Kutu, who works at Air New Zealand, was also there to lend a helping hand over the weekend as a member of the Tongan community in Christchurch.  

"It was awesome to see our community come together and help. At the end of the day, we're all family.  

Having Etu Pasifika and Pasifika Futures there made a big difference and we all worked together well." 

Kutu shares that the Tongan community in Christchurch is a tight-knit one where everyone is connected, and is proud of how quickly they mobilised to look after the passengers. 

"It was comforting to know and see that the elderly and babies were taken care of." 

All passengers have now returned to Auckland safely, with international flights operating again to Auckland Airport.