NZ and Australian warships help Cook Islands with fuel

Published on June 21 2012 by John and Mei

NZ and Australian warships help Cook Islands with fuel

Updated 20 June 2012, 17:53 AEST

New Zealand and Australian warships have come to the rescue of people in the northern group of the Cook Islands who were in danger of running out of fuel for their power generators.

The New Zealand tanker HMNZS Endeavour has been able to provide around 70,000 litres of diesel fuel to Nassau, Pukapuka and Penrhyn Islands.

Local boats at Penryhn were called in to help shuttle the fuel from the ship to the shore when the vessel that was supposed to help broke down.

Later the New Zealand warship Te Kaha and Australia's HMAS Darwin came to Endeavour's assistance by providing boats to shuttle the drums of diesel ashore.

Lt Cdr Angela Barker, from the Royal New Zealand Navy, describes the unusual mission to Bruce Hill.

Presenter: Bruce Hill

Speaker: Lt Cdr Angela Barker, from the Royal New Zealand Navy