TONGA'S Christchurch Earthquake Appeal fund, which collected $887,055 pa'anga, was handed over to Christchurch Major Bob Parker in Christchurch today, October 1, by Tonga's Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele.

The Prime Minister's Press Secretary Lopeti Senituli told Matangi Tonga this morning, said that that more cash donations would be sent to Christchurch.

"We have extended the appeal to Friday October 8 as more donations have been promised. We are now looking at a mark of $900,000 in total," said Lopeti.

The amount raised to date, included the Government of Tonga's commitment of NZD$500,000 and cash donations collected in two national radiothon appeals on Saturday, September 25 and yesterday, September 30 in central Nuku'alofa.

Prime Minister Sevele, who departed Tonga last night, is in New Zealand on his way to Washington to attend a meeting at the World Bank headquarters.