HELPING OUR NEIGHBOURS
The terrible tragedy in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga this week has taken New Zealand lives, and directly affects thousands of New Zealand families. It brings into sharp focus the importance of the Defence Force in getting medics, engineers and emergency supplies to where they are needed in the first few hours after a disaster.
The Government has acted swiftly to help our Pacific neighbours. Air Force flights to Samoa began in the first few hours after the tsunami struck. The first few of these carried urgently-required supplies such as tents, stretchers and generators; and specialist Defence Force medical and engineering teams. These deliveries will continue as long as there is a need.
The Defence Force is doing an outstanding job of advising Government Ministers and implementing our decisions on the relief efforts.
Last night the first of two Iroquois helicopters was taken to Samoa in a Hercules. Two further aircraft have gone up today. One is an RNZAF Boeing 757 carrying medical evacuation and search and rescue teams. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murray McCully, also went on this flight, to see for himself the devastation and to assess how New Zealand can best help in the days to come. The second is an Australian C130 Hercules carrying the second Iroquois. Another RNZAF C130 is due to depart tomorrow morning carrying an Army light operational vehicle and a water purification plant.
Prime Minister John Key is returning early from a family holiday in the United States and will visit Samoa tomorrow, to reinforce New Zealand’s commitment to its recovery.
The Navy’s multi-role vessel, HMNZS Canterbury, will be ready to sail for Samoa early next week. It can take the heavy cargo which will be needed for the long-term reconstruction work ahead.
The Government has also allocated $1 million in immediate aid relief in Samoa and Tonga. More will be provided, given the major damage to infrastructure those countries have sustained. New Zealand is going to do what it takes to help Samoa and Tonga through this crisis.
ANZAC EFFORT
The quality and speed of the NZDF’s disaster relief work has been greatly enhanced by working closely with the Australian Defence Force.
The earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck early on the same day that I was meeting my Australian counterpart, Senator John Faulkner, in Sydney. Our respective Chiefs of Defence Force were also at the meeting. This meant we were able to immediately work together to plan a joint response.
By a stroke of good fortune two RAAF Hercules aircraft were already in New Zealand on exercises and they were immediately tasked to assist in the airlift. Another Australian Hercules has since joined the operation.
The main subject of discussion between me and Senator Faulkner was the establishment of a joint ANZAC force to deal with exactly this type of crisis in the Pacific. Planning is now under way to create this force.
The development of this joint force demonstrates our mutual commitment to work together to promote security, stability and development in the Pacific region. Over the next six months, the work will be done to pull it together.
PASSCHENDAELE COMMEMORATIONS
This Sunday I will be attending the opening of the North Shore Passchendaele commemoration activities. 2009 is the 92nd anniversary of this momentous battle, in which New Zealanders were heavily involved. It took place over two days, 4 and 12 October 1917. The latter is the single bloodiest day in our history.
An exhibition of photographs and battlefield artefacts assembled by the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 entitled “The Belgians Have Not Forgotten” is on show at Fort Takapuna from 4 October to 15 November. I urge all North Shore residents to take the opportunity to visit and to remember those who gave their lives.
The terrible tragedy in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga this week has taken New Zealand lives, and directly affects thousands of New Zealand families. It brings into sharp focus the importance of the Defence Force in getting medics, engineers and emergency supplies to where they are needed in the first few hours after a disaster.
The Government has acted swiftly to help our Pacific neighbours. Air Force flights to Samoa began in the first few hours after the tsunami struck. The first few of these carried urgently-required supplies such as tents, stretchers and generators; and specialist Defence Force medical and engineering teams. These deliveries will continue as long as there is a need.
The Defence Force is doing an outstanding job of advising Government Ministers and implementing our decisions on the relief efforts.
Last night the first of two Iroquois helicopters was taken to Samoa in a Hercules. Two further aircraft have gone up today. One is an RNZAF Boeing 757 carrying medical evacuation and search and rescue teams. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murray McCully, also went on this flight, to see for himself the devastation and to assess how New Zealand can best help in the days to come. The second is an Australian C130 Hercules carrying the second Iroquois. Another RNZAF C130 is due to depart tomorrow morning carrying an Army light operational vehicle and a water purification plant.
Prime Minister John Key is returning early from a family holiday in the United States and will visit Samoa tomorrow, to reinforce New Zealand’s commitment to its recovery.
The Navy’s multi-role vessel, HMNZS Canterbury, will be ready to sail for Samoa early next week. It can take the heavy cargo which will be needed for the long-term reconstruction work ahead.
The Government has also allocated $1 million in immediate aid relief in Samoa and Tonga. More will be provided, given the major damage to infrastructure those countries have sustained. New Zealand is going to do what it takes to help Samoa and Tonga through this crisis.
ANZAC EFFORT
The quality and speed of the NZDF’s disaster relief work has been greatly enhanced by working closely with the Australian Defence Force.
The earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck early on the same day that I was meeting my Australian counterpart, Senator John Faulkner, in Sydney. Our respective Chiefs of Defence Force were also at the meeting. This meant we were able to immediately work together to plan a joint response.
By a stroke of good fortune two RAAF Hercules aircraft were already in New Zealand on exercises and they were immediately tasked to assist in the airlift. Another Australian Hercules has since joined the operation.
The main subject of discussion between me and Senator Faulkner was the establishment of a joint ANZAC force to deal with exactly this type of crisis in the Pacific. Planning is now under way to create this force.
The development of this joint force demonstrates our mutual commitment to work together to promote security, stability and development in the Pacific region. Over the next six months, the work will be done to pull it together.
PASSCHENDAELE COMMEMORATIONS
This Sunday I will be attending the opening of the North Shore Passchendaele commemoration activities. 2009 is the 92nd anniversary of this momentous battle, in which New Zealanders were heavily involved. It took place over two days, 4 and 12 October 1917. The latter is the single bloodiest day in our history.
An exhibition of photographs and battlefield artefacts assembled by the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 entitled “The Belgians Have Not Forgotten” is on show at Fort Takapuna from 4 October to 15 November. I urge all North Shore residents to take the opportunity to visit and to remember those who gave their lives.
