NZDF

Overseas Operations

New Zealand has a history of contributing to international efforts to resolve conflict. The NZ Defence Force is a valued international coalition partner committed to peace and security, and regularly works alongside international partners on operations and exercises throughout the world.

It is in New Zealand’s interests to play a leadership role in the South Pacific, acting in concert with our neighbours, helping to maintain stability, enhance regional security capabilities, and promote good governance and economic and social development .

The NZ Defence Force supports a number of major operations around the world including:

  • Sustainment of personnel in support of operations in Afghanistan.
  • Continuing operations in the Solomon Islands in support of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI).
  • Sustainment of personnel in support of United Nations missions around the world.

There are currently 102 New Zealand Defence Force personnel deployed on 13 operations and UN missions across 10 countries, including:

Afghanistan (40 personnel)

Iraq (1 person)

Korea (3 personnel)

Middle East (8 personnel)

Sinai (27 personnel)

Solomon Islands (8 personnel)

South Sudan (3 personnel)
                                       

There are 238 Defence Force personnel on other overseas deployments and exercises.

 

Afghanistan

 Map of Afghanistan The twenty first and final rotation of NZDF personnel in the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team (NZPRT) left Afghanistan in April 2013. There are still 38 personnel in HQ, United Nations and support roles in Kabul and at Bagram Air Force...

Antarctica

 Each year, Antarctic New Zealand request NZDF support for the Antarctic summer season to provide air transport, logistics and personnel support during the summer months.

Iraq

 LTCOL Greg Allnutt (second from right) with other United Nations Military Advisors and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. One NZDF Officer is providing liaison between the United Nations Assistance Mission Iraq (UNAMI) and the Multinational Force and Iraqi Security Forces.

Middle East

 Shelling and rocket attacks on TYRE, Southern Lebanon, 25 kms north of the Israeli border. The UNTSO area of operations covers five Middle Eastern countries including Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt. The UNTSO headquarters is based in Jerusalem, Israel.

Sinai, Egypt

 Kiwi Base, Sinai. The mission of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) is to supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the Egyptian-Israel Treaty of Peace. The New Zealand contingent has been a member of the MFO since its inception on 3 August...

Solomon Islands

 Private Tuiaki shows digital photos to children in the Mbarama village on the outskirts of Honiara, Solomon Islands. PTE Tuiaki was part of a Territorial Force deployment to the Solomon Islands which supports the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). [MC 09-0081-308] The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) is in the Solomon Islands at the invitation of the Solomon Islands Government. Facilitation of the International Assistance Act 2003, passed unanimously by the Solomon Islands Parliament...

South Korea

 Sub Lieutenant Fraser Toulmin (yellow armband) at a United Nations Command Observation post overlooking the "punch bowl," an area which saw many fierce battles during the Korean War because of its strategic location. Four NZDF officers are deployed to the UN Command Military Armistice Commission (UNCMAC), one of whom is deployed to Yongsan, Seoul as the assistant operations officer in the UNCMAC HQ. This is a six month rotational posting and the incumbent is...

South Sudan

 NZDF's Senior National Officer Major Terry McDonald with children in Sudan, October 2009. (WN09-0040-098) On 9 July 2011 South Sudan became the newest country in the world. The birth of the Republic of South Sudan is the culmination of a six-year peace process and a new chapter in a region that has seen little peace in the last 50 years.
This page was last reviewed on 15 May 2013, and is current.