New Zealand will make an initial contribution of 50,000 NZ dollars (36,500 U.S. dollars) in relief efforts to Solomon Islands following recent earthquakes and a tsunami, Foreign Minister Murray McCully announced on Friday.

The money will be given to various agencies working on the ground in Solomon Islands.

McCully said 10,000 NZ dollars will go to the Solomons national disaster management organization to help meet essential costs as the damage is assessed and relief supplies distributed.

McCully said the Solomon Islands Government has not officially requested assistance, but New Zealand is ready to provide further assistance, if requested.

He added that New Zealand is also likely to make a significant contribution to Solomon Islands Red Cross and other similar humanitarian organizations to help them replenish stocks of essential items for around 1500 people who have been displaced by the tsunami.