Current NZPRT
The fifteenth rotation of New Zealand Defence Force personnel to serve in the Provincial Reconstruction Team deployed to Afghanistan in October 2009. They are led by Colonel Martin Dransfield and will remain in the country for six months.
NZ PRT Information
The NZ PRT Bamyan is tasked with maintaining security in Bamyan Province. It does this by conducting frequent presence patrols throughout the province. The PRT also supports the provincial and local government by providing advice and assistance to the Provincial Governor, the Afghan National Police and district sub-governors. Thirdly the NZ PRT identifies, prepares and provides project management for NZAID projects within the region. These are contracted to Afghan companies who hire local workers to assist with the completion of these projects. Thus each project provides new amenities, and also provides employment in the region.
The NZ PRT may also assist with distributing emergency humanitarian assistance, particularly during the harsh winter months.The PRT comprises NZDF, NZ Police, NZAID rep, US Armed Forces, representatives from the US Depts of State and Agriculture, and a USAID rep.
Kiwi Base, Bamyan (home for NZ PRT)
Located outside the township of Bamyan in the Bamian Province of Afghanistan.
New Zealand is tasked with maintaining security in Bamyan Province, and assist in reconstruction and development in the region.
Weather at Kiwi Base (Lat/Lon: 34.8° N 67.8° E)
The Bamyan Climate is one of extremes. Temperatures easily reach into 40°C in summer and winter temperatures have been recorded as low as -30°C with wind chill factors lowering this by an additional -20°C. The climate is much drier than NZ, with dry snow in winter and dust storms in summer. The extreme temperatures do affect both locals and NZ PRT personnel.
NZ PRT: New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team
NZDF personnel are in Afghanistan's Bamyan province, leading one of the Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) established in that country. PRTs were established in 2002 to help the transitional government under President Hamid Karzai extend its influence beyond Kabul. They promote reconstruction in their areas, and assess civil, political and military reform efforts through community engagement.
Background
New Zealand is helping the Afghan Transitional Authority to extend its influence beyond Kabul by promoting stability through the Provincial Reconstruction Team (NZ PRT) in Bamyan Province. The PRT has helped support security in Afghanistan by assisting with the formation and training of the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police Force, as well as supporting the role of the United Nations in Afghanistan and the International Security Assistance Force.
The NZDF team first took over command of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamyan (about 200 km north west of Kabul) in September 2003. The NZ PRT has five liaison teams, one for each of the five regions within the Bamyan province.
Previous contingents have provided a reassuring security presence, especially during the Presidential elections October 2004, resulting in a particularly high voter turnout, including of women, in Bamyan. This support continued in the lead-up to the crucial parliamentary and provincial elections held in September 2005, throughout 2006 and in 2009.
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