The next rotation of New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel bound for Afghanistan left Christchurch International Airport on Saturday 3 December.
Based in Bamyan in central Afghanistan, the Navy, Army and Air Force personnel will make up the seventh Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) to deploy to the area.
The PRT will face a number of challenges including the harsh Afghan winter.
Major General Lou Gardiner, Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, says NZDF personnel in Afghanistan can be proud of their contribution.
"The professionalism and expertise of our defence personnel has earned great respect for the contribution made towards achieving stability in Afghanistan," said Major General Gardiner.
"Along with the other 18 missions NZDF personnel are deployed to around the world, New Zealand’s PRT in Bamyan has received high praise from both within Afghanistan, and from other countries," he said.
Major General Gardiner acknowledged that the situation in Afghanistan still poses a security challenge.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Phil Goff welcomed home New Zealand Special Air Service personnel who returned from Afghanistan on November 22. The SAS has concluded its third rotation undertaking reconnaissance and direct action missions. Around 50 personnel were involved in the six-month deployment.
"The SAS have played an important role in the multilateral engagement mandated by the United Nations Security Council to counter terrorism and to restore stability to Afghanistan," Mr Goff said.
"Their presence, together with other international forces, has been critical both to constrain the influence of Al Qaeda and Taliban elements and to allow nation building and reconstruction to take place.
"New Zealand forces, both SAS and those serving with the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamyan, have helped ensure a fair and credible democratic process for the first-ever elections to the Afghanistan Parliament, which took place in September.
"Our SAS personnel are regarded as being among the best in the field by other coalition forces. I thank them for their commitment and professionalism, of which New Zealand can be proud.”