Photo: NZ Defence Force / Sergeant Maria Eves
The arrival of New Zealand's urban search and rescue team in quake-struck Vanuatu has been delayed because of an engine fire warning on an old airforce Hercules.
The specialist team of firefighters and volunteer doctors and engineers was due to land in Port Vila with 10 tonnes of equipment at about 8.30pm.
But the NZDF says the crew was forced to divert to Noumea in New Caledonia after an engine fire warning.
A second plane is due to leave in the morning to recover them and take them to Vanuatu.
Other flights including a new Hercules with foreign affairs staff will leave at first light today as well as a Boeing 757, which will be able to evacuate stranded tourists this afternoon.
Fenz deputy national commander Brendan Nally said the search and rescue team had everything it needed to survive for at least 14 days, including desalination plants, as well as construction and specialist gear to find people trapped in the rubble.
He said the priority was to save as many lives as possible, and the immediate plan upon arrival was to send drones into the air to survey the area.
Nally said the team had signifcant experience in rescue operations here and overseas, and included members who helped with the Christchurch earthquake recovery.