9968 (2024). Hon Peeni Henare to the Minister of Defence

Written Question

Published date: 16 May 2024

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	9968 (2024)
Question asked:	05 May 2024
Member asking:	Hon Peeni Henare
Portfolio:	Minister of Defence
Minister replying:	Hon Judith Collins
Answer received:	13 May 2024
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_09968_2024
Document guid:	6f69e4c2-23cf-4faa-944c-2f3d5c68b7fc

9968 (2024). Hon Peeni Henare to the Minister of Defence: What direction, if any, did the Minister give to Defence officials regarding the New Zealand Defence Force personnel stranded in Antarctica who were due to return to New Zealand on 18 March?

Hon Judith Collins: Personnel were not stranded – they were delayed. There are often extended periods when aircraft are unable to safely get to Antarctica, this was one of those cases. The personnel were accommodated at McMurdo Station throughout their extended stay in Antarctica and were transported out at the soonest safe interval.