New Zealand's richest person donates fishing boats, tractors and food to Tonga
February 17 2022



Graeme Hart, who is thought to be worth $11 billion, contacted Aotearoa Tongan Relief Committee (ATRC) co-chairperson Jenny Salesa just after the disaster to offer support.

He asked Salesa to find out what was most needed following a devastating tsunami triggered by a massive underwater volcano on January 15.

After discussions with Tongan Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni, Salesa relayed a request for enough food to feed every child one breakfast meal, fishing boats and tractors to help till volcanic ash back into the soil.

His generosity meant 10 containers containing cereal, rice and other breakfast ingredients had already landed in Tonga. Now Hart has ordered 20 fishing boats from Fiji and 10 from New Caledonia to help replace the boats lost on the outer islands nearest the eruption. Salesa said the boats were vital in helping provide fish to remote communities.

Hart has also purchased eight new tractors that left Auckland on Wednesday. Originally ATRC sent 27 containers to Tonga including $2 million of groceries. The next shipment of 24 containers included 14 from the committee and 10 from Hart.


The Australian Defence Force has been helping Tonga to clean up from the eruption and tsunami.