New Zealand joins regional effort to calm restive Solomon Islands

FILE PHOTO: Smoke rises above buildings after days of unrest in Honiara, Solomon Islands November 25, 2021 in this still image obtained from a video recorded on November 25, 2021 and obtained November 27, 2021. Jone Tuiipelehaki/via REUTERS

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand said on Wednesday that it will deploy military and police personnel in the Solomon Islands, joining efforts by Australia, Fiji and Papua New Guinea to help restore peace in the Pacific island nation following anti-government rioting.

An initial military assessment team of approximately 15 personnel would be deployed from Thursday followed by a larger group of up to 50 military and police personnel at the weekend, the New Zealand government said in a statement.