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:

  • Afghanistan (8 personnel)
  • Antarctica (8 summer season personnel + various short term task specific teams)
  • Iraq (106 personnel)
  • Middle East (8 personnel)
  • South Korea (5 personnel)
  • Sinai (26 personnel)
  • South Sudan (3 personnel)
  • United Arab Emirates (11 personnel)

The number of personnel in each location may vary from time to time due to the nature of operations.

At any time there are many other Defence Force personnel on other overseas activities such as training exercises and courses.

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 10 personnel in training roles with the Afghan National Army.

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.

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 in 1981.

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. Three 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.

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 December 2017, and is current.