7. DIANNE YATES (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Defence
What is the level and nature of assistance that New Zealand is contributing to security and reconstruction in Afghanistan?
Hon PHIL GOFF (Minister of Defence) Link to this
Cabinet decided on Monday to renew the commitment of our provincial reconstruction team to Bamian on the basis that it has done a hugely impressive job there in contributing to both stability and reconstruction, and that it is warmly welcomed by the community. The total deployment of the provincial reconstruction team will again be around 120 people, in and around Bamian. That deployment will be supplemented by five staff officers working with the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul and a couple of NCOs helping to train the Afghan National Army. There will also be a new deployment of two medical specialists to help the Multinational Medical Unit in Kandahar, and, for a short period, a redeployment of the frigate in the Arabian gulf as part of the maritime interdiction operation.
Yes, it is. Of the 37 nations providing military contributions to Afghanistan, New Zealand ranks, on a per capita basis, in the top half. Of the non-NATO nations, we have the second-highest per capita contribution. We will have spent something like $30 million in financial contributions this year to support that deployment, in addition to development assistance. That contribution also needs to be seen alongside the very significant contributions we are making in other areas, such as the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste.
Absolutely. The New Zealand provincial reconstruction team is regarded by the Afghan people themselves, and by other contributing forces, as a model for others to follow. It has worked closely with local authorities and the local community. It has built up an excellent rapport with the people there. It has helped to ensure stability. It has made a major contribution to both physical and social infrastructure. In fact, it has done such an impressive job that other countries, such as Singapore, have made application to provide further troops to work under the New Zealand provincial reconstruction team in Bamian.