Middle East deployment 2026

At the request of the Government, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is supporting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade (MFAT) to assist New Zealanders stranded by conflict in the Middle East.

Defence Public Affairs - Media Team

+64 21 487 980 media@nzdf.mil.nz

The NZDF is preparing to deploy two aircraft and personnel to the Middle East region to be ready to help New Zealanders stranded by the conflict in the Middle East.

The NZDF is preparing to deploy two Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J-30 Hercules aircraft and NZDF personnel to the Middle East region to be ready to help New Zealanders stranded by the conflict in the Middle East.

At the request of the Government, New Zealand consular staff and two C-130J Hercules aircraft are preparing to deploy to the region as part of contingency planning so they are positioned in the region to assist with civilian evacuation operations as conditions allow.

Decisions on location and timing are being worked through.

The Government has urged New Zealanders in the Middle East to register on SafeTravel.(external link)