By James Heffield
November 3, 2006.
In the heart of Afghanistan, Kiwi’s are working hard to help clear the mines and munitions littering the countryside after decades of war.
Major Lenise Te Tana, one of three in her team, said it was a rewarding role. She worked with New Zealand Defence Force colleagues Captain Jono Meldrum and Lance Corporal Michael Galvin for six months at the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) headquarters in Kabul.
Her job was to develop policy to ensure mines and munitions were effectively cleared from the countryside. It was a challenging role which included hours of work liaising with the United Nations and other organisations to ensure a united front was presented to the problem.
“The main challenge is working in a multinational environment where staff processes, languages and work ethic vary from nation to nation. It teaches you patience, open-mindedness and understanding of different cultures and ways of doing things.”
Captain Meldrum works in the ISAF headquarters making sure new building projects are completed on time and to specification. Lance Corporal Galvin is the driver for the group, making sure Major Te Tana gets between her various meetings safely and on time - no small feat in Kabul with a population of nearly three million and the risk of bombings.
The New Zealand contribution in Kabul plays a small but important role in Afghanistan, Major Te Tana said.
“We are officially the smallest national contribution to the ISAF HQ but with the arrival of some friendly Australians we are no longer the only southern hemisphere nation there.”
Continuing to help at the ISAF headquarters was important and should continue, she said.