New Zealand Defence Force Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa

15 June 2006

Defence Assisting Civil Defence In Snow Hit South Island

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has responded to a request for assistance from Civil Defence in the snow-covered South Island, with troops on standby to provide support.

Late this morning Civil Defence made a request to the NZDF for help reaching families and communities isolated by the snows in Canterbury.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force has provided two Iroquois helicopters to assist Civil Defence in their assessment of what ongoing support might be required in the area.

The New Zealand Army has sent Liaison Officers to Fairlie and Waimate to assess the situation and assist in planning for what support may be available from the Burnham based 3rd Land Force Group.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

New Court Orders, Screening, Guardianship Changes...: Government Ignoring Poverty, Again

It remains to be seen if announcements today will better protect children, but the National Government is forgoing an opportunity to really help kids by ignoring the elephant in the room, which is poverty, Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei says.

"All the experts have told the Government that very low income is associated with higher rates of child maltreatment and neglect -- something which was totally ignored in the Government's Children's Action Plan and the announcements today," Mrs Turei said. More>>