New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark will cut short an overseas holiday and return home early next week following the devastating tsunami in South and South East Asia.
"In these circumstances I think the best place for me to be is at home," Clark said in a statement Friday.
She said she had recently spoken to, and extended her sympathies to leaders of several countries caught up in the disaster.
"My thoughts are with all New Zealand families who have received no news of their loved ones caught up in this tragedy. As the days go by their concern deepens, as does mine," Clark said.
So far one New Zealand woman has been confirmed dead in Thailand 's southern resort of Phuket following a massive earthquake and tsunami that has devastated southeast Asia. But there are still more than 230 New Zealanders unaccounted for somewhere in Thailand, while 526 of a total of 834 on the register have been confirmed alive and well.
Clark said New Zealand would play its part in the international reconstruction effort following the immediate emergency response.