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Tsunami relief for Samoa. Visit to Lalomanu Primary School by 3 SQN for the children to have a close up look at the Iroquois as part of a thank you for letting the NZDF use the facilities of the school to camp the personnel there.

New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa

Media Advisory
16 October 2009
NZ High Commissioner And the NZ Defence Force Visits Lalomanu Primary School Post Samoan Tsunami

Students at Lalomanu Primary School were treated to a visit by NZ High Commissioner to Samoa, Caroline Bilkey and a contingent of New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel yesterday. The visit was organised as a thank you to the Lalomanu Village for allowing the NZDF to use their facilities while providing support to the Tsunami relief effort along the southern coast of Upolu.

A Royal New Zealand Air Force Iroquois helicopter and a NZ Army Pinzgauer truck were used to show the children some of the equipment the NZDF had been using as part of their operations. The children were also treated to ride in the Army Pinzgauer truck which proved to be a lot of fun.

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Visit to Lalomanu Primary School by the Royal New Zealand Army Engineers so the children can have a close up look and ride in the Pinzgauer as part of a thank you for letting the NZDF use the facilities of the school to camp the personnel there. Group photo of the Engineers, Medics, Teachers and children of Lalomanu Primary School.
The NZ High Commissioner met with the Lalomanu School Principal Maulalo Ioane to discuss the school’s situation after the Tsunami. Principal Ioane said that children from the Saleapaga and Ulutigia schools will temporarily accommodate students from all three schools until a more permanent solution can be found.

“We only have 10 percent of our students back at school at the moment. Many families are still coping with the effects of the Tsunami but we want to encourage all of our children to come back to school,” said Principal Ioane.

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Visit to Lalomanu Primary School by 3 SQN for the children to have a close up look at the Iroquois as part of a thank you for letting the NZDF use the facilities of the school to camp the personnel there. Group photo of the childrenand crew infront of Iroquois.

The NZ Army Medical Team, NZ Army Engineers and Royal NZ Navy Dive Team have been using the primary school as a base from which to provide support to during Operation Samoan Tsunami. The NZ Defence Force personnel have moved from the Lalomanu area to the Poutasi Medical Clinic now that the school is open and so that they don’t interfere with the children’s education.

“The local people have been fantastic in supporting our operations here at Lalomanu. We have mixed easily with them and we now feel like part of the community. The Tsunami damage here in the south is significant but I have been amazed by how quickly the people have rallied and begun to clear and rebuild the roads, powerlines etc. They have done a fantastic job,” said NZ Army Warrant Officer Darren Waitere.

ENDS

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High Commissioner for New Zealand Caroline Bilkey talking to a teacher at the Lolamanu Primary School.

Notes:
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has approximately 72 personnel in Samoa to assist with disaster relief. Major elements include:

Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF): One Iroquois helicopter from No 3 Squadron conducting flying operations based out at Faleolo International Airport.

Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) : HMNZS CANTERBURY: The ship is currently in Tonga delivering aid and have landed an NZ Army Engineering team to assess urgent assistance requirements on the island of Niuatoputapu. The Navy Dive Team has departed Samoa having completed all tasks.

New Zealand Army (NZ Army): Medical Team and an Engineering Team Based in Poutasi continuing ongoing medical and construction work in the area.

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