New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa

Media Release

4 October 2009

New Zealand Defence Force Tsunami Relief – Update 4

There are now 105 New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel in Samoa, including six Navy divers who are working to restore the submarine water main to Manono Island and assess the power cable.

Earlier this morning Prime Minister John Key was on hand to farewell personnel from the NZDF, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the New Zealand Police and the Ministry of Health as they boarded an Air Force B757 for the flight.

The aircraft left early this morning and arrived at 6.25am local time in Samoa. It has since returned to New Zealand.

Army engineers are working with the NZ Police search team and carrying out further reconnaissance in the Lalomanu area. NZDF medics are working with Australian civilian medical teams to assist the injured and homeless.

The two Iroquois helicopters from the Air Force’s No 3 Squadron are concentrated on using underslung loads to move village-sized relief packs to affected areas.

Army personnel from Linton are on standby to sail on HMNZS CANTERBURY should she be required to assist.

ENDS

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