Posted 10 minutes ago

Ten per cent of the population of the tiny Pacific island nation of Tokelau is sick as the island battles an influenza outbreak.

Tokelau is 500 kilometres north of Samoa, and has a population of just 1,500.

New Zealand health professionals will tomorrow make the 26-hour boat journey from Samoa to Tokelau.

Deputy director of public health, Fran Mcgrath, says the flu has hit locals hard.

"This is an isolated population so there is not a high level of immunity," he said.

Four children are in hospital, and schools have been shut and village chiefs have been advised to cancel all public gatherings.