WELLINGTON: A Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J Hercules aircraft departed from Auckland on Saturday (March 7) for the Middle East to assist New Zealand citizens stranded amid ongoing conflicts in the region, according to the country's Defence Force.
Defence Minister Judith Collins (pic) said the government's immediate priority was supporting New Zealanders in the Middle East, who continue to be advised to shelter in place or take any safe and practical opportunities to leave.
Consular staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade are being deployed alongside two C-130J Hercules aircraft so they can respond quickly when conditions allow, Collins said.
One of the aircraft left Auckland on Saturday, while another, already in Asia, is being redirected to support the operation, she said.
Around 3,000 New Zealanders are currently registered with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade as living in the Middle East. - Xinhua
