Private Teejay Samuel during pre-deployment training at Ohakea Air Force Base.
8 March 2007
A Rotorua soldier is preparing himself for a second overseas deployment with the New Zealand Defence Force later this month when he travels to the Solomon Islands.
Private Teejay Samuel deployed to Timor-Leste for six months as a Regular Force soldier in 2001 and is hoping to use the experience gained in the South East Asian country when he deploys to the Solomon Islands with 42 other Kiwi soldiers.
“The heat in the Solomon Islands will be a lot like Timor, as will the presence of crocodiles and snakes.
“I’m looking forward to experiencing a new set of customs and learning to communicate with the Solomon Islanders in Pidgin (the local dialect).”
Private Samuel has been a member of the Territorial Force’s Hauraki Regiment since 2005 and will take leave from his job as a security guard at Rotorua Airport for the duration of the deployment.
He is one of 32 Territorial Force and 10 Regular Force soldiers in the contingent which will support the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands by patrolling Honiara and assisting with external security at Rove prison.
The fresh New Zealand contingent will replace the 34 Territorial Force and 10 Regular Force soldiers currently serving in the Solomon Islands. New Zealand troops have supported the Regional Assistance to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) since 2003.
ENDS
Currently 607 New Zealand Defence Force personnel are deployed on 19 operations, UN missions and defence exercises around the world.
For further information please contact James Heffield, Defence Public Relations, on 04 529 6033 or 021 569 148.