Media Release

21 November 2016

MORE NZDF AID CONVOYS TO KAIKOURA

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is sending more aid convoys to deliver vital supplies to earthquake-stricken Kaikoura.

“Now that there is controlled access by road between Culverden and Kaikoura, we will continue to transport the majority of aid supplies using NZDF vehicles until commercial vehicles are allowed access,” Major General (MAJGEN) Tim Gall, the Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, said.

“We are still using helicopters to reach those remote communities, helping to ensure that they are being provided with the assistance that they need.”

He said the focus on vehicle-delivered aid would give a much-needed respite to the NH90 medium utility helicopters and amphibious sealift vessel Canterbury, which have been deeply involved in the Government’s emergency response from the start.

“We need to utilise the various assets we have deployed to best effect so that if a new emergency arises, we are ready to respond,” MAJGEN Gall said.

Canterbury returned to Lyttelton on Sunday with 192 evacuees and will remain there until it receives new tasks.

A P-3K2 Orion surveillance aircraft from the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) conducted another survey of quake-damaged areas today. The survey, requested by KiwiRail, focused on the state of the rail network in North Canterbury.

Two RNZAF A109 helicopters are being used to transport NZ Police to conduct checks in remote areas of North Canterbury.

The NZDF has mobilised up to 615 people, 11 aircraft and four vessels to support the Government’s earthquake response. It has delivered about 250 tonnes of vital supplies to Kaikoura by land, sea and air, and rescued nearly 1000 people from the quake-damaged seaside community.

ENDS

Fast facts: NZDF and foreign support for the Government’s earthquake response

Aircraft

· NH90 medium utility helicopters (4) – 122 flying hours, delivered 25 tonnes of aid and ferried about 290 people

· A109 helicopter (2) – 23 flying hours

· SH-2G(I) Seasprite helicopter (2) – helped offload the 216 tonnes of aid supplies from HMNZS CANTERBURY in underslung loads

· C-130 Hercules (1) – 19 flying hours and airdropped 8 tonnes of water

· P-3K2 Orion surveillance aircraft (1) – 15 flying hours

· B200 King Air (1) – 15 flying hours

Ships

· Amphibious sealift vessel HMNZS CANTERBURY – evacuated some 640 people carrying 9.3 tonnes of baggage, one cat, 17 dogs and about 30,000 bees

· Offshore patrol vessel HMNZS WELLINGTON – survey of approaches for landing crafts and anchorage positions

· Frigate HMNZS TE KAHA

· Replenishment tanker HMNZS ENDEAVOUR

Foreign assistance

· Australian frigate HMAS DARWIN + 1 S70B Seahawk helicopter + 177 sailors

· Canadian frigate HMCS VANCOUVER + 1 CH-124 Sea King helicopter + 231 sailors

· US destroyer USS SAMPSON + 2X MH60 Seahawk helicopters + 340 sailors

· US Navy P-3 aerial surveillance aircraft – 15 flying hours

· Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force P-1 aerial surveillance aircraft – 12 flying hours

NZDF personnel

· Navy – about 410 sailors

· Army – 150 soldiers, including nine Army chefs catering for 250 volunteers assisting in the relief effort in Kaikoura

· Air Force – 55 aircrew and some 200 support personnel on the ground at bases in Whenuapai, Ohakea, and Woodbourne, and Christchurch

People evacuated by HMNZS CANTERBURY and RNZAF NH90 helicopters – nearly 1000 people (with 9.3 tonnes of baggage, one cat, 17 dogs and about 30,000 bees)

Aid supplies delivered:

· HMNZS CANTERBURY – 216 tonnes, include 13,000kg of food, 2780kg of fruits and vegetables, 200kg of potatoes, 350kg of bread, 6000kg of rice, pasta and flour, 300kg of blankets, 500kg of telecommunications equipment, four tonnes of medical supplies, 10,000kg of pet food, 80 portable toilets, 500kg of toilet paper, 30 10-litre cans of fuel, two portable pumps and four generators

· Army aid convoy – 67 tonnes

· RNZAF NH90 helicopters – 25 tonnes

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