Wellington, Oct 1 NZPA - The New Zealand High Commission in Apia is trying to contact 160 New Zealanders unaccounted for in the devastation of the Samoan earthquake and tsunami.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) has confirmed two New Zealanders are dead and another presumed dead after yesterday's disaster.

One of the victims has been identified as Mary Ann White, 55, a mother of three from Raglan.

She and her husband Andy were holidaying in Samoa with close friends and business partners Diane and Brent Cederman.

More than 119 people were killed in yesterday's devastating earthquake and tsunami.

Australian media reported a two-and-a-half year-old girl from New Zealand with Australian permanent residency had been confirmed dead.

MFAT was unable to provide any further details on the New Zealand deaths this morning.

There are an estimated 500 New Zealanders in Samoa and 16 are known to have been injured.

The New Zealand High Commission was talking to local authorities, visiting the three hospitals on the mainland and visiting hotels to contact New Zealanders, MFAT said today.

Three hundred New Zealanders were confirmed as alive and well and the commission was checking on another 160.

Two more MFAT staff have been sent to Apia to provide assistance to the High Commission. It has opened up its cyclone shelter at the commission compound for New Zealand travellers who need emergency accommodation.

New Zealanders currently in Samoa were encouraged to make contact with friends and family in New Zealand to allay any concerns.

The death toll is expected to rise considerably, as rescuers reach today the worst hit areas in both Samoa and American Samoa, about 100km away. Villages are reported flattened.

A Royal New Zealand Air Force Orion was flying over the Samoan coastline this morning, gauging damage from the tsunami and the magnitude 8.3 earthquake that preceded it and helping to search for bodies washed out to sea.

A Hercules transport plane left at midnight, taking medical supplies and army medical personnel, as well as tents, food and temporary morgues asked for by the Samoan government.

More flights were likely, Acting Prime Minister Bill English said last night.

"New Zealand has a very close relationship with Samoa, we'll be working with the Samoan government for some time to overcome the impact of the tsunami," he told reporters.

The navy could also become involved, Foreign Minister Murray McCully indicated.

"There's been some discussion about what sort of vessels might be useful. That's involved the Australians as well, something might be achievable."

Mr English said some of the people turning up at the High Commission in Apia had lost everything.

"They have no passports, no clothes, they're being looked after in the best way possible," he said.

MFAT said people concerned about family members in Samoa should try to make contact with them in the first instance. Those with ongoing concerns can call MFAT on 04 439 8000, with as many contact details as possible.