New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa

Media Advisory
16 March 2009

New Kiwi Contingent For The Solomon Islands

Another 44 mainly Territorial Force (TF) personnel will head to the Solomon Islands on Wednesday for a four month tour of duty.

The contingent, drawn largely from the 3rd Auckland Northland and 6th Hauraki Battalions, will be the ninth rotation to support the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

Operations such as RAMSI offer Reserve members of the Army the opportunity to take on the challenges that you would experience full-time in the Army and the civilian skills members bring are often invaluable when working with the local population.

Led by Major Richard Palmer, a self-employed TF officer from the 2nd Canterbury Nelson Marlborough West Coast Battalion, the Kiwis will carryout patrols, liaise with locals, provide assistance to police and help with external observation at Rove Prison.

Background Information

The Territorial Force makes up a quarter of NZ Army’s personnel, and are a vital part of operations abroad. Territorial soldiers and officers have been active on New Zealand peacekeeping missions to Lebanon, Sinai, East Timor, Bosnia, Sierra Leone, Bougainville, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Solomon Islands.

A platoon-sized group (30) of Reserves serve in Timor-Leste, five in Sinai, two in Korea and three are currently in Afghanistan.

Currently 718 New Zealand Defence Force personnel are deployed on 14 operations, UN missions and defence exercises around the world.

ENDS

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