TWENTY-FIVE Fijian soldiers have been deployed to New Zealand to assist their Kiwi counterparts as that country recovers from Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle.
Minister for Home Affairs Pio Tikoduadua said the officers left the country last Friday as part of Fiji’s offer to assist the cyclone and flood-ravaged country.
“We have fewer than 30 personnel that are going,” he said.
“I thank the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces and the commander for the anticipation to send the troops over.”
He said despite being a small regional partner, Fiji was willing to assist its regional neighbours.
“Our boys will make a difference as they have done before like in the areas where we have partnered with our Vuvale friends in Australia during their bushfires and in the floods and also through RAMSI in the Pacific.
“We are a responsible State in the region and we want to do our part.
“Yes, we are small but I think we are providing the best we can to help particularly the people of New Zealand and we are happy to send our troops over.”
According to the RFMF, the troops made up of 25 officers known as the RFMF Task Force Hawke’s Bay Assist consist of engineer specialists from the Corp of Fiji Engineers.
Contingent commander Captain Mikaele Masiwini and Warrant Officer Class 2 Jale Smith from the 3FIR will head the deployment.
The soldiers are accompanied by staff from the National Fire Authority and National Disaster Management Office.
The contingent headed to Auckland with New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni who had been in Fiji for the Pacific Islands Forum meeting at Denarau in Nadi.
