We’ve sent the first of our three Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopters to undertake transport tasks to support Defence Australia's efforts in tackling the Australian fires. This week we’ll also be sending two New Zealand Army Combat Engineer Sections as well as a command element.

The first of three Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH90 helicopters and its crew departed for Nowra, New South Wales today to support the Australian Defence Force (ADF) efforts in tackling the Australian fires.

The contingent left from RNZAF Base Ohakea and was transported via a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-17 aircraft.

Two further RNZAF NH90s and crew will depart for Australia over the next two days. A contingent of New Zealand Army Combat Engineers and a command element will also deploy to Australia via a RNZAF C-130 Hercules aircraft to support the ADF efforts.

The RAAF will be capturing imagery of the unloading of the first NH90 in Australia later this evening. Imagery will be shared via the New Zealand Defence Force Facebook page, which media are welcome to use.