An RNZAF C-130 Hercules aircraft with 40 NZDF personnel is scheduled to be deployed. "We can deploy as early as Wednesday morning," Defence Minister Peeni Henare told Checkpoint. Henare said the 40 NZDF personnel to be deployed include engineers, medical people, "as well as what the Chief of Defence Force described as 'security'." Henare said for security reasons he could not say exactly where NZDF personnel might go, but he said there will be more detail in the coming days. Henare said the details of those Afghan nationals seeking asylum in New Zealand would be verified by MFAT and Immigration NZ.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 16, 2021 07:30 UTC