Latest news with #JudithCollins
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Defence Force deploying plane to Middle East
The C-130J Hercules, along with government personnel, will leave Auckland on Monday. Photo: RNZ The Defence Force is sending a plane to the Middle East to assist any New Zealanders stranded in Iran or Israel. The C-130J Hercules, along with government personnel, will leave Auckland on Monday. Airspace is still closed in the region, but Defence Minister Judith Collins said the deployment was part of New Zealand's contingency plans. "Airspace in Israel and Iran remains heavily restricted, which means getting people out by aircraft is not yet possible, but by positioning an aircraft, and defence and foreign affairs personnel in the region, we may be able to do more when airspace reopens," she said. The government was also in discussions with commercial airlines to see what they could do to assist, although it was uncertain when airspace would reopen. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said New Zealanders should do everything they can to leave now, if they can find a safe route. "We know it will not be safe for everyone to leave Iran or Israel, and many people may not have access to transport or fuel supplies," he said. "If you are in this situation, you should shelter in place, follow appropriate advice from local authorities and stay in touch with family and friends where possible." Peters reiterated New Zealand's call for diplomacy and dialogue. "Ongoing military action in the Middle East is extremely worrying and it is critical further escalation is avoided," he said. "New Zealand strongly supports efforts towards diplomacy. "We urge all parties to return to talks. Diplomacy will deliver a more enduring resolution than further military action." It will take a few days for the Hercules to reach the region. New Zealanders in Iran and Israel needing urgent consular assistance should call the Ministry's Emergency Consular Call Centre on +64 99 20 20 20.
RNZ News
a day ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Defence Force to send plane to assist New Zealanders in stranded Iran and Israel
The C-130J Hercules, along with government personnel, will leave Auckland on Monday. Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel The Defence Force is sending a plane to the Middle East to assist any New Zealanders stranded in Iran or Israel. The C-130J Hercules, along with government personnel, will leave Auckland on Monday. Airspace is still closed in the region, but Defence Minister Judith Collins said the deployment was part of New Zealand's contingency plans. "Airspace in Israel and Iran remains heavily restricted, which means getting people out by aircraft is not yet possible, but by positioning an aircraft, and defence and foreign affairs personnel in the region, we may be able to do more when airspace reopens," she said. The government was also in discussions with commercial airlines to see what they could do to assist, although it was uncertain when airspace would reopen. Defence Minister Judith Collins. Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel Foreign affairs minister Winston Peters said New Zealanders should do everything they can to leave now, if they can find a safe route. "We know it will not be safe for everyone to leave Iran or Israel, and many people may not have access to transport or fuel supplies," he said. "If you are in this situation, you should shelter in place, follow appropriate advice from local authorities and stay in touch with family and friends where possible." Peters re-iterated New Zealand's call for diplomacy and dialogue. "Ongoing military action in the Middle East is extremely worrying and it is critical further escalation is avoided," he said. "New Zealand strongly supports efforts towards diplomacy. "We urge all parties to return to talks. Diplomacy will deliver a more enduring resolution than further military action." It will take a few days for the Hercules to reach the region. New Zealanders in Iran and Israel needing urgent consular assistance should call the Ministry's Emergency Consular Call Centre on +64 99 20 20 20. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
a day ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Watch: Winston Peters, Judith Collins speak on Israel-Iran conflict from RNZAF base
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins are about to make an announcement regarding the Israel-Iran conflict from the Royal New Zealand Airforce Base in the Auckland suburb of Whenuapai at 3pm. The announcement that the ministers would speak on the conflict came before it was revealed the US performed military strikes against three Iranian nuclear sites, including uranium enrichment facility Fordow. Trump said on Truth Social: "We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American Warriors. There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE! Thank you for your attention to this matter." Peters has previously said the provocative behaviour by both Israel and Iran was to be criticised, and New Zealand did not take sides in a conflict of this nature. "There are no innocent parties in this conflict," he said. It was a tragedy that civilians were being killed, Peters said. "The people who are innocent ... that tragedy is just awful and I think New Zealanders understand that with clarity," Peters said. "That's why we try to help where we can, but we are a long way from this conflict." While Peters said we should avoid making judgement without all the information, he noted the conflict in the Middle East has been going on for years. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Medallic Recognition For NZDF Personnel Extended
Minister of Defence The Government has expanded the criteria for medallic recognition for Defence personnel who have served in operations supporting the UN's sanctions against North Korea, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. 'This medal – the New Zealand General Service Medal (NZGSM) 2002 (Korea) – has already been awarded to 180 personnel and the move to widen eligibility means a further 350 personnel will be recognised,' Ms Collins says. 'Personnel who have served as part of Operation Whio – which monitors the United Nations Security Council's sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea - since 2018 are now eligible for this medal. 'Over the past seven years, there have been 19 rotations of Operation Whio – including seven deployments of P-3K2 Orion and P-8A Poseidon aircraft, aircrew and support personnel, and the deployment of HMNZS Aotearoa in 2024. The aircraft and ship conducted and supported maritime patrols to detect and deter evasions of United Nations Security Council resolutions imposing sanctions against North Korea. The other rotations were of small numbers of staff officers in headquarters roles. 'This is another example of how we are contributing to upholding the international rules-based order. 'Previously this specific medal, the NZGSM 2002 (Korea), was only awarded to United Nations Command activities relating to preserving the Korean Armistice Agreement,' Ms Collins says. 'The men and women of our Defence Force rightly deserve this acknowledgement of their service. 'Our people do what we ask of them, when we ask it, often in trying conditions, and medallic recognition such as this is one way we recognise this.'
Otago Daily Times
12-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Collins coy over possible Aukus pact review
Defence Minister Judith Collins. Photo: RNZ The Defence Minister says there's no reason for New Zealand to comment on reports the Pentagon is reviewing the Aukus defence alliance. A US defence official told Reuters the review was part of ensuring the security pact was aligned with US President Donald Trump's America First agenda. The strategic pact between the US, UK and Australia had long been a talking point in New Zealand, with consecutive governments pondering whether to join parts of the alliance. Aukus was formed in 2021 to address shared worries about China's growing power. Under the pact, Australia would be armed with nuclear submarines at a cost of $A350 billion ($NZ377 billion). In a statement, Defence Minister Judith Collins said the US review was about Aukus Pillar One, which New Zealand had never been a part of. New Zealand has had ongoing discussions about joining Pillar Two of the alliance, but any decisions on whether to join Pillar Two would be a matter for Cabinet, Collins said. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has not received any reports or advice on what the Trump administration reviewing the Aukus security pact might mean for New Zealand. Luxon told RNZ he was not concerned the review could spell the end for Pillar Two "It's been left very open-ended. We're exploring Pillar Two - it's been to be honest quite slow going. "We are yet to be invited to partipate in Pillar Two." Luxon said the review was for Australia, the US, and the UK to work through. Australia was last week told by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to significantly boost its defence spending. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he would not be dictated to on defence spending. He he noted Australia's defence spending was already set to increase from 2 percent to 2.3 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the next eight years. Collins has denied any allies have put pressure on the government to up defence spending. Foreign Minister Winston Peters previously said New Zealand's trading partners would judge us if we did not "step up" and play our role by increasing defence spending.
