New Zealand Army medic Corporal Kelly Wang received a surprise when she was promoted recently in Afghanistan where she is based – Defence Minister Mark Burton was on hand to present her with her new rank slides. The Minister travelled to Bamyan, Afghanistan where the New Zealand Provincial reconstruction team is based, to see the work the PRT is doing. His visit included a tour of Bamyan University, to which New Zealand has provided support, and he was able to see the work the NZ PRT patrol teams do. Assisting Mr Burton (right) award Cpl Wang her rank slides is (left) the NZ PRT Commanding Officer, Group Captain John Duxfield. The New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team’s main role in Afghanistan is to strengthen security and stability, and support the development of self-sustainable provincial and district government. It does this through making its presence felt by patrolling the surrounding Bamyan area, and assisting security sector reform. It is strengthening the influence of the Government of Afghanistan by helping rebuild institutions, monitoring disarmament, and reducing the causes of instability and insecurity.
The ship’s company of HMNZS Manawanui put a team of fishery officers through its paces recently when the officers joined the ship to receive specialist training in all aspects of naval deployments. An increasing number of fisheries officers are deploying aboard Royal New Zealand Navy vessels as part of a joint surveillance effort of New Zealand fishing grounds.