The New Zealand Defence Force is sending a Hercules aircraft loaded with relief supplies to the quake and tsunami-hit island of Sulawesi in Indonesia.
The island was hit by a powerful magnitude-7.5 earthquake on Sunday, which triggered a large tsunami - the death toll has now climbed above 1400.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said this morning in a statement that the Hercules is loaded with relief supplies including generators, water containers, and tarpaulins.
"As well, a further $1.5 million will be allocated to stand-by funding to support the international community's efforts for emergency relief activities and early recovery projects," Mr Peters said.
"This package is in addition to the relief support already announced by the New Zealand Government earlier this week, taking our total contribution to the Sulawesi response to $5 million.
"The scale of the relief effort required following last week's earthquake and tsunami is becoming increasingly apparent, and there are many people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance."
Mr Peters yesterday arrived in Jakarta and has scheduled meetings with Indonesian Government Minister today and tomorrow.
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