Move FM Australian News

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – New Zealand’s Minister of Defence Ron Mark on Sunday announced the country is deploying three Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopters and crew, and two NZ Army Combat Engineer Sections as well as a command element, to support the efforts to combat the Australian fires.

The New Zealand Defence Force support will deploy by Australian Defence Force C-17 and New Zealand Defence Force C-130 from Ohakea Airforce Base on a number of flights from Monday to Wednesday.

“This latest NZDF support is being provided in addition to the latest rotation of NZDF Firefighters deployed to bolster numbers of emergency responders on the ground,” Mark said Sunday.

“We need to mention and thank those Defence Force spouses, partners and children whose holiday plans are being interrupted as their family members are being called back to assist our Australian cousins in their time of need.”

The New Zealand defence contingent will deploy to the Royal Australian Air Force Base Edinburgh, in Adelaide, South Australia, and will remain in Australia at least until the end of January. The NH90s will undertake transport tasks.

Such has been the severity of the Australian fires, that smoke is now reaching New Zealand with the sky over the North Island now a hazy-orange tint. Westerly winds are believed to be pushing smoke from the raging bushfires to New Zealand, some 2,000 kilometres away.

Sunday’s decision to involve the New Zealand military, follows a move on Friday to boost the number of Kiwi firefighters currently in Australia battling the fires. The New Zealand government is sending a further 22 firefighters to assist the Australians.

“The devastation caused by these fires is taking a substantial toll on our Australian neighbours and we will continue to do what we can to assist as they deal with this extremely dynamic, dangerous and ongoing situation,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Friday.

“New Zealanders around the country have expressed their condolences to those who have lost loved ones and sympathy to all affected, and I extend mine too. It’s simply devastating to see the scale of the loss.”

“I’ve been in contact with Prime Minister Scott Morrison again this week to share our collective support for our neighbours and friends, and what they’re experiencing,” Ardern said.

A formal request for further assistance was made earlier this week and the extra personnel will help with front-line firefighting on two five-day rotations. They’ll leave for Australia on Wednesday.

Since late October 2019, more than 150 New Zealanders have been deployed to assist with the Australian bush fires.

“These fires continue to be fought in some of the most challenging conditions ever and Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) and its partners are providing valuable assistance,” Tracey Martin said.

In a dramatic move last week the Australian government ordered the military to intervene in efforts to fight the out-of-control situation developing. Up to 3,000 army reservists have been called up for compulsory service.

In New South Wales alone 1,425 homes have been lost and 830,000 hectares of land has been scorched. One fire, at Gosper Mountain near the town of Lithgow, just west of Sydney, has had well over 500,000 hectares destroyed. The fire remains out-of-control.

Two people died on Saturday at fires on Kangaroo Island in South Australia. Another man died of a heart attack while fighting to save a mate’s home at Batlow in the Snowy Mountains.

17 lives and more than five hundred homes have been burnt to the ground since New Year’s Eve, just five days ago.

698 fire brigades and 3,600 firefighters are currently battling blazes in New South Wales alone.