Defence Minister Peeni Henare hasn't ruled out the possibility of the New Zealand Defence Force entering Ukraine.
A C-130 Hercules set off for Germany on Wednesday morning with 11 of the 50 personnel who will help transport and distribute military aid to Ukraine, without entering the country.
But Henare won't rule out Kiwis taking a more active role if needed.
All packed with enough supplies to last a month for a mission with no foreseeable return date.
"It's a marathon, not a sprint," Royal New Zealand Air Force base commander Auckland group Captain Andy Scott said.
The group is part of a 50-strong crew heading to Germany to help get weapons and aid into Ukraine as Russia's attacks on civilians escalate.
The rest of the crew is flying on commercial flights.
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Scott said the main job will be to drop off aid along the Ukrainian border without entering its airspace.
"No, we're not going into Ukraine," he said.
But should New Zealand be called to play a more active role in the war?
"New Zealand Defence Force is always ready to respond," Henare said.
The Defence Minister is not ruling out sending Kiwi troops into Ukraine if needed.
"Cabinet will continue to monitor the situation and will remain agile enough to make decisions as required," he said.
And the Kiwis onboard can't wait to get there to play their part, but unfortunately for them, it takes five days in the aging Hercules.
