The Defence Force will send three helicopters and 40 staff to Papua New
Guinea next month to help the country hold a free and fair election, the
government has announced.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully says the PNG government asked for help and
New Zealand's personnel will work with an Australian Defence Force
contingent.
The helicopters and staff will be used to ensure electoral officials and
ballot boxes can be delivered to remote areas.
The government is also going to provide a small team of election monitors and
pay for boats to be chartered to take election officials and supplies to remote
locations.
Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says the 40 staff will operate across the
lowland region and coastal townships, including nearby islands.
"New Zealand and Australia are committed to working together to maintain
stability and promote good governance in the Pacific," he said.
NZN