PM Jacinda Ardern has confirmed NZDF personnel will travel to Europe to support intelligence work following the invasion of Ukraine.
Cabinet has confirmed the immediate deployment of nine defence force personnel to work in UK and Belgium to help with intelligence work after the invasion of Ukraine, Ardern said at Monday's post-Cabinet briefing.
Seven NZDF intelligence analysts will go to the UK to assist with the heightened demand for intelligence assessments. Some will support work on the Ukraine war and some will join existing teams focused on other parts of the world to free up capability.
Two further officers will deploy to UK and Belgium, one working with the existing defence attache and NZ military representative to NATO and one will work within the UK's permanent joint headquarters.
Ardern says Cabinet has also approved the use of the NZDF open source intelligence capabilities for three months to support the UK and other European partners, taking advantage of the time-zone differences during the European night time.
New Zealand is providing highly skilled analysts, Ardern says. Five will be specifically involved in reviewing satellite imagery which will support the army in Ukraine.
"Whilst we are a third party ... that then does contribute directly to the effort by Ukraine to defend their homeland."
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What New Zealand is doing is very much in keeping with other countries, she says.
The military supplies already announced - including helmets and body armour from Ōhakea air base to Australia tomorrow then on to Ukraine this week.
In addition, communications equipment from Tait Communications, through the $5 million in aid announced last week, will also be sent - likely in the first week of April.
Some 264 applications have been made for the Special Ukraine Visa for family members in New Zealand, with 46 visas issued.
Meanwhile, over 460 individuals and entities have been sanctioned by New Zealand, Ardern says.
"We know that sanctions globally have been making it hard for the Russian regime to fund its war. The rouble has collapsed in value and Russia is on its way ... out from being in the top 20 economies in the world."
Ardern today told Morning Report there was very little reason for China to station military forces on Solomon Islands, and recent moves towards a security pact between the two countries were "gravely concerning".
Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine has continued to grab headlines.
In a Cabinet decision last week, New Zealand increased aid spending over the conflict to $11m, and announced it would send non-lethal military equipment such as helmets and body armour.
