First New Zealand aid flight leaves for Tonga

The first flight carrying fresh water and other aid to Tonga was finally able to leave Thursday after the Pacific nation's main airport runway was cleared of ash left by a huge volcanic eruption.

Images taken by the New Zealand Defense Force show a Hercules transport being filled with aid in Auckland, before taking off to fly to the Pacific island.

The C-130 Hercules military transport plane left New Zealand carrying water containers, kits for temporary shelters, generators, and hygiene supplies and communications equipment.

Australia was also preparing to send two C-17 Globe master transport planes with humanitarian supplies. The flights were all due to arrive in Tonga on Thursday afternoon.