Labour and the Maori Party are welcoming the Government's announcement that New Zealand's Special Air Service troops will return from Afghanistan in March next year.
Prime Minister John Key confirmed on Thursday the deployment would end on schedule.
He had previously held open the possibility of leaving a small number of the 70 elite soldiers in Kabul.
Labour leader David Shearer says the troops showed true bravery and professionalism in an extremely challenging environment.
Like Mr Key, he paid tribute to Corporal Doug Grant and Lance Corporal Leon Smith who were killed in action.
The previous Labour Government sent the SAS to Afghanistan in 2006 but the party didn't support redeployment in 2009.
Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples said he was ecstatic.
"I am so pleased to hear we are finally bringing our troops home," he said.
"Our troops have served us well but we have always been concerned with their role in Afghanistan and their safety."
NZN