30 November, 2005
Kiwi Troops leave for a white Christmas
The next rotation of New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel bound for Afghanistan will leave Christchurch
International Airport on Saturday 3 December.
The 94-strong contingent will be farewelled by the Minister of Defence, the Honourable Phil Goff. Based in Bamyan in
central Afghanistan the Navy, Army and Air Force personnel will make up the seventh Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT)
to deploy to the area. The PRT will face a number of challenges including the harsh Afghan winter. Major General Lou
Gardiner, Commander Joint Forces New Zealand says NZDF personnel in Afghanistan can be proud of their contribution.
“The professionalism and expertise of our defence personnel has earned great respect for the contribution made towards
achieving stability in Afghanistan,” said Major General Gardiner.
“Along with the other 18 missions NZDF personnel are deployed to around the world, New Zealand’s PRT in Bamyan has
received high praise from both within Afghanistan, and from other countries,” he said. Major General Gardiner
acknowledged that the situation in Afghanistan still poses a security challenge.
The VIP party farewelling the deployment will consist of: Hon. Phil Goff, Major General Lou Gardiner, and Colonel Sean
Trengrove.
BACKGROUND
New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team The deployment of 94 NZDF personnel will replace the current New Zealand-led Provincial
Reconstruction Team (PRT) of 122 located in the Bamyan Province of Afghanistan.
The New Zealand PRT plays an important role in restoring and maintaining stability in the Bamyan Province. The team
assists the Afghan Government by promoting reconstruction in Bamyan and assessing civil, political and military reform
efforts.
The team conduct liaison patrols throughout the province and interact with members of the community at all levels. 94
New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel comprise the Provincial Reconstruction Team located in the Bamyan Region.
Originally deployed in September 2003, the PRT has been extended through until September 2006.
The contingent is deploying on 03 December and will be the seventh rotation of personnel to the area, with each rotation
serving for approximately six months. New Zealand continues to assist Afghanistan with the provision of personnel in the
following areas:
Afghan National Army. The NZDF also provides two personnel to assist with the training and establishment of the Afghan National Army.
ISAF. Four NZDF officers currently serve with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which supports the Afghan
Transitional Authority in the maintenance of security in Kabul and other areas of Afghanistan.
Coalition Headquarters. A further two NZDF personnel are deployed with the multinational force operational headquarters. One officer works in
the Combined Forces Command Afghanistan in Kabul with the other officer working with the Coalition Joint Task Force in
Bagram.
UNAMA. One NZDF Military Liaison Officer is deployed with the United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA). This
officer is playing a valuable role as a strategic interface between the multinational forces in Afghanistan and the
Afghan authorities. New Zealand also provides two Police officers to assist the training of Afghan police officers in
Bamyan. These officers will remain until the end of 2005.
New Zealand – Significant Operations The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has maintained a very high level of operational tempo over the past year. The NZDF
has personnel deployed to numerous locations around the globe including: Antarctica, Bosnia, Kosovo, East Timor, Solomon
Islands, Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, Israel, Sudan and Afghanistan. As a small but professional, versatile and adaptable
Defence Force, the NZDF stands ready to play its role in helping the Government respond to pressing regional and
international security issues.
Total numbers deployed on overseas UN missions and other operations at present is 265 with a further 225 overseas
involved in training or exercises. International and regional security trends indicate that the professional expertise
of the NZDF will continue to be a vital requirement for supporting New Zealand’s credibility as a good international
citizen through its support of the United Nations and the rule of international law.
ENDS