Tongans are waking up after Cyclone Gita carved a path of destruction across the kingdom.

Residents are reporting damaged homes, power outages, fallen trees and bits of wood and coconut fronds scattered over the land.

Youth programme team leader Ofa Pakalani told Mike Hosking he estimates 75 per cent of the nation will be severely damaged.

"A lot of houses are destroyed, and also the trees and the crops."

LISTEN ABOVE AS OFA PAKALANI SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING