The New Zealand Chief of Army, Major General Peter Kelly is in Tonga this week on preparations for an upcoming humanitarian and disaster relief exercise, ‘Tropic Twilight’, in Ha’apai later this year which involves defence forces from Tonga, Australia, the US, China, Britain, and France.
The New Zealand Navy will also be conducting ‘Exercise Calypso’ which will involve coordinated fisheries patrols throughout the Pacific, including Tongan waters.
Major General Kelly will be meeting with Brigadier Fielakepa, Chief of Defence Staff of His Majesty’s Armed Forces, Minister of Defence Lord Ma’afu, and senior officers of His Majesty’s Armed Forces. He will also tour Masefield Navy base and Taliai Army camp.
“Tonga is one of New Zealand’s longest and closest defence relationships, dating back to the First World War, and it is great to be able to visit and discuss the ongoing relationship with the Brigadier and his staff,” Major General Kelly said. “Our Forces have served alongside each other in peace time and at war. In fact, our two Forces are serving alongside each other right now in Fiji helping with the clean-up following Tropical Cyclone Winston.”
New Zealand High Commissioner in Tonga, HE Sarah Walsh, commented; “The defence relationship is one of the strongest strands of the bilateral relationship between Tonga and New Zealand. The New Zealand Defence Force has had a technical adviser based in Tonga for decades, even before the New Zealand High Commission was established in Tonga.”
