Hon Phil Goff
Minister of Defence
22 November 2006
Defence Force Personnel to Assist Tongan Authorities
New Zealand Defence Force personnel in Tonga have begun low key community patrols to assist the Tongan Defence Force and
Police, said Defence Minister Phil Goff.
"The Tongan Police and Defence Force personnel have been working very long hours since the 16 November riots in
Nuku'alofa and have requested support from the New Zealand led Combined Joint Task Force based at Nuku'alofa airport",
said Mr Goff.
"The New Zealand personnel are undertaking routine community patrols in an environment which has remained calm following
the riots.
"At this stage we are looking at a relatively short term deployment which will however depend on the situation remaining
peaceful.
"We will also be discussing ways of assisting with Tongan Police and Defence Force capacity to enable the Tongan
authorities to manage the situation.
"New Zealand's presence in Tonga at the invitation of authorities is solely for the purpose of ensuring protection of
people and property.
"We are not there either to maintain the political status quo or to dictate to Tongans details or the timetable of how
they should implement reform.
"New Zealand has however consistently supported reform towards a democratic and accountable system of governance in
Tonga. We will continue to provide any appropriate form of assistance asked for by Tongan people towards this end", Mr
Goff said.
ENDS