Wellington, Dec 16 NZPA - New Zealand electricians, plumbers and builders are wanted to help rebuild homes in Samoa following October's devastating tsunami.

Habitat for Humanity New Zealand wants to recruit skilled volunteers to contribute to Samoa's reconstruction.

Villages and resorts in Samoa and the neighbouring islands of American Samoa and northern Tonga were flattened by giant waves generated by a massive 8.0-magnitude earthquake, the strongest in a nearly a century.

The resulting tsunami killed 186 people.

Habitat NZ is working in partnership with the Samoan government to supervise construction of 250 fales on sites on the southeast coast of Upolu in the villages of Salea'aumua, Saleapaga and Satitoa.

Fales are traditional Samoan homes, with concrete floors, no walls, timber trusses and iron roofs, supported by multiple poles. All fales rebuilt after the tsunami are to have a standardised design with cyclone resistant features.

"New Zealand has every reason to be proud of the 72 Kiwis who have taken their skills to Samoa for two week stints as volunteers, since our operations started up there in early November," Habitat for Humanity NZ's chief executive Pete North said.

"We will need increased numbers of skilled volunteers, including electricians, plumbers, as well as builders, in the New Year, as our activities intensify. This need is expected to remain high through most of 2010 and to be particularly pressing during May and June."

The volunteers will be hosted by local communities and accommodated in church halls.

"If you have the skills we need and would like to spend two weeks in Samoa during 2010, working for a very good cause, then please visit our website at www.habitat.org.nz or telephone us on 0800 44 22 48, to find out more about what's entailed," Mr North said.

In addition to volunteers the organisation needed funds, he said.

NZPA WGT rq kk nb