On the ground and getting established. New Zealand Army engineers join Defence Australia personnel at Kangaroo Island to assist with the Australian bushfire efforts.

Our personnel have been completing various tasks including creating firebreaks using heavy machinery.

We have sent three teams of firefighters to help our Aussie neighbours in New South Wales and Queensland. They have worked long days including establishing containment lines and carrying out backburning operations to stop fires from spreading.

Our firefighters are back home for now in case they’re needed here over the holiday season. But be careful out there New Zealand - fires can have a devastating impact on communities, wildlife and the environment. We have another team of firefighters on standby to go to Aus in the new year.

RNZAF NH-90 in Australia