Wellington, Oct 1 NZPA - One of the New Zealand tourists killed by the tsunami in Samoa has been identified as a mother of three from Raglan.

She was Mary Ann White, 55, her family said in a press release this morning.

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

The group own and operate the Raglan Sunset Motel and were enjoying a joint holiday in Samoa when the tragedy struck.

They are expected to return to New Zealand in the immediate future pending the completion of formalities in Samoa.

The Whites have three children and two grandchildren.

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

A spokeswoman told NZPA the ministry was in contact with the families of the dead and missing and was offering them support.

Nine other New Zealanders are known to have been injured.

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.

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."

New Zealand High Commission staff in Apia will continue today to check on New Zealanders there, with numbers up because of the school holidays.

They reported visiting injured people in hospital. Some have already been discharged.

About 150 New Zealanders had reported to the High Commission in Apia, 70 of them from the worst-hit resort areas, Mr English said.

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.

The High Commission has opened up the cyclone shelter at its compound for New Zealand travellers who need accommodation.

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.