Four New Zealand Defence Force staff have arrived in Timaru to assist Customs staff charged with protecting Timaru’s marine border against Covid-19. Customs New Zealand Investigations Manager Bruce Berry said New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel are supporting NZ Customs’ port patrol activity, in support of Maritime Border Order enforcement activities under the NZDF banner of Operation Protect. A total of 78 NZDF personnel will be attached to Customs at ports across New Zealand, he said. “While Customs have been supplementing resources in Timaru, from Christchurch, a further four NZDF personnel are deployed, along with a Supervising Customs Officer from Auckland,” Berry said. There have been more than 1200 NZDF personnel involved in the operation - the largest military contingent since Timor-Leste, she said.

Source: Stuff August 23, 2020 01:38 UTC