Australia delivers water, medicine and telecoms aid to tsunami-hit Tonga

The Australian military is taking aid to Tonga (LACW Kate Czerny/Australian Defence Forces/AP)

Three flights from Australia carrying food, water, medical supplies and telecommunications equipment have landed in Tonga as the Pacific nation grapples with the aftermath of an underwater volcanic eruption and tsunami.

Zed Seselja, Australian minister for international development and the Pacific, said planes from other nations, including New Zealand and Japan, have also brought badly-needed aid to the Tongan people.