Defence Force to send plane to assist New Zealanders in stranded Iran and Israel
The C-130J Hercules, along with government personnel, will leave Auckland on Monday.
Photo:
RNZ / Calvin Samuel
The Defence Force is sending a plane to the Middle East to assist any New Zealanders stranded in Iran or Israel.
The C-130J Hercules, along with government personnel, will leave Auckland on Monday.
Airspace is still closed in the region, but Defence Minister Judith Collins said the deployment was part of New Zealand's contingency plans.
"Airspace in Israel and Iran remains heavily restricted, which means getting people out by aircraft is not yet possible, but by positioning an aircraft, and defence and foreign affairs personnel in the region, we may be able to do more when airspace reopens," she said.
The government was also in discussions with commercial airlines to see what they could do to assist, although it was uncertain when airspace would reopen.
Defence Minister Judith Collins.
Photo:
RNZ / Calvin Samuel
Foreign affairs minister Winston Peters said New Zealanders should do everything they can to leave now, if they can find a safe route.
"We know it will not be safe for everyone to leave Iran or Israel, and many people may not have access to transport or fuel supplies," he said. "If you are in this situation, you should shelter in place, follow appropriate advice from local authorities and stay in touch with family and friends where possible."
Peters re-iterated New Zealand's call for diplomacy and dialogue.
"Ongoing military action in the Middle East is extremely worrying and it is critical further escalation is avoided," he said. "New Zealand strongly supports efforts towards diplomacy.
"We urge all parties to return to talks. Diplomacy will deliver a more enduring resolution than further military action."
It will take a few days for the Hercules to reach the region.
New Zealanders in Iran and Israel needing urgent consular assistance should call the Ministry's Emergency Consular Call Centre on +64 99 20 20 20.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
US B-2 bombers, bunker-busters used in Iran strike
The B-2 is one of America's most advanced strategic weapons platforms. Photo: US Department of Defense / AFP The US Air Force's B-2 Spirit stealth bombers were involved in strikes on Iran's nuclear sites . Three Iranian nuclear sites were struck in a "very successful attack", President Donald Trump said on Saturday (local time), adding that the crown jewel of Tehran's nuclear programme, Fordow, was gone. The B-2 is one of America's most advanced strategic weapons platforms, capable of entering sophisticated air defences and delivering precision strikes against hardened targets, such as Iran's buried network of nuclear research facilities. The US B-2 costs about US$2.1 billion (NZ$3.5b) each, making it the most expensive military aircraft ever built. Made by Northrop Grumman, the bomber, with its cutting-edge stealth technology, began its production run in the late 1980s, but was curbed by the fall of the Soviet Union. Only 21 were made, after the Pentagon's planned acquisition programme was truncated. The bomber's range of more than 11,112 km without refuelling enables global strike capabilities from continental US bases. With aerial refueling, the B-2 can reach virtually any target worldwide, as demonstrated in missions from Missouri to Afghanistan and Libya, and now Iran. Its payload capacity of more than 18,144 kg allows the aircraft to carry a diverse array of conventional and nuclear weapons. The bomber's internal weapons bays are specifically designed to maintain stealth characteristics, while accommodating large ordnance loads that could include two GBU-57A/B MOP (Massive Ordnance Penetrator), a 13,600kg precision-guided 'bunker buster' bomb. Reports said six bunker buster bombs were used on Iran's Fordow research site. The B-2's two-pilot crew configuration reduces personnel requirements, while maintaining operational effectiveness through advanced automation systems. Iran's Fordow research site on 14 June, 2025, well before it was hit by a reported six bunker-busters. Photo: AFP The B-2's stealth technology incorporates radar-absorbing materials and angular design features that minimise detection by enemy air defence systems. Its radar cross-section is reportedly comparable to that of a small bird, making it nearly invisible to conventional radar. The 13,600kg MOP represents the largest conventional bomb in the US arsenal, specifically engineered to defeat hardened underground bunkers. Its massive size requires the B-2 to carry only one or two MOPs per mission, but provides unmatched bunker-penetration capability. The weapon's 6.25m length and GPS-guided precision targeting system enable accurate strikes against specific underground facilities. Its penetration capability of more than 60 metres through hardened concrete makes it effective against the world's most protected underground installations. Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) provide the B-2 with precision conventional strike capability against fixed targets. These GPS-guided weapons can be deployed in large numbers, with the bomber capable of simultaneously engaging multiple targets with high accuracy. Joint Standoff Weapons (JSOW) extend the aircraft's engagement range, while maintaining stealth characteristics during approach. These glide bombs allow the B-2 to strike targets from outside heavily defended airspace perimeters. Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM) offer long-range precision strike capability with their own stealth features. The extended-range JASSM-ER variant provides strike options against targets over 800km) away. The B-2 Spirit serves as a key component of America's nuclear triad, capable of delivering strategic nuclear weapons with stealth and precision. The aircraft can carry up to 16 B83 nuclear bombs. - Reuters
1News
2 hours ago
- 1News
NZ deploys aircraft to assist evacuations after US strikes on Iran
New Zealand is deploying personnel and a C-130J Hercules aircraft to the Middle East as part of efforts to assist stranded citizens from Iran and Israel, the Government has announced today. Foreign Minister Winston Peters confirmed the deployment following US airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, announced by US President Donald Trump on Sunday. Trump said the strikes on Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan were a "spectacular military success" in a speech from the White House this afternoon. "Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier." Peters called the ongoing military action in the Middle East "extremely worrying, and it is critical further escalation is avoided". ADVERTISEMENT "New Zealand strongly supports efforts towards diplomacy. We urge all parties to return to talks." Follow 1News' live updates here. Peters said New Zealand remained "seriously concerned" about the risk to New Zealand citizens in Iran and Israel given the continued military strikes between the two countries. "Airspace has been closed since the beginning of the current conflict, and it is highly uncertain when it will reopen. That is why we continue to recommend that New Zealanders do everything they can to leave now if they can find a safe route. "We know it will not be safe for everyone to leave Iran or Israel, and many people may not have access to transport or fuel supplies. If you are in this situation you should shelter in place, follow appropriate advice from local authorities and stay in touch with family and friends where possible." The Foreign Minister is urging for a diplomatic resolution. (Source: 1News) Defence Minister Judith Collins said the deployment of the aircraft was part of contingency planning. ADVERTISEMENT "By positioning an aircraft and Defence and Foreign Affairs personnel in the region, we may be able to do more when airspace reopens." The Government was also in discussion with commercial airlines to assess how they might be able to assist. The C-130J Hercules was scheduled to leave Auckland tomorrow and would take several days to reach the Middle East. All New Zealanders in the Middle East – not just in Iran and Israel – were urged to register on SafeTravel. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is running 24/7 consular operations, including via teams in the region. New Zealanders in Iran and Israel needing urgent consular assistance should call the Ministry's Emergency Consular Call Centre on +64 99 20 20 20.
RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
The House: Tactics from the 'Scrutiny Week' bear pit
Photo: VNP/Louis Collins This week, Parliament hosted a twice-yearly event called 'Scrutiny Week'. It was a sitting week and MPs were expected to be in Wellington, but the House didn't sit, no legislation was debated and there were no question times. Instead, the ministers were all expected to spend time fronting hearings in the 12 subject select committees defending their budget plans - hence 'scrutiny'. On the Sunday edition of The House (above) you can hear an interview with Lawrence Xu-Nan about Scrutiny Week and the intense preparation necessary. You can also listen to a quick description of a few of the more political tactics observed in hearings. Politics muddies everything in Parliament, including Parliament's role in providing governance over governments. In Scrutiny Week, some politics is inevitable in both MPs' questions and ministers' answers. Our focus on the tactics is more about the answers than the questions, because those answering tend to employ a wider range of techniques. Either the ministers have more tactical options available or they are more creative in finding them. No matter who is in government, some ministers genuinely engage in the spirit of the event, freely answering questions and providing information. Others tend to be grudging with details. Some face aggressive political questions evincing fiercely political answers and a few appear to just really enjoy the stoush. Photo: VNP/Louis Collins Listen above for examples of political questions and answers tactics, including rejection of questions, answering alternative questions, redefining the terms, insult and humour as a defence, and various ways to eat up time. Oddly, sometimes ministers get so involved in the tussle that they ignore options to their own benefit. Typically, sitting beside a minister under scrutiny are senior ministerial officials - whose answers are less politically suspect. Sometimes, if an official can get a word in, the detail given is positive and the minister had no reason to be obfuscating - other than for the fun of the stoush. The audio above might give the appearance that Scrutiny Week is an endless and frustrating bear pit, and it can be, but we also saw hearings where ministers from all the governing parties gave good answers and had constructive interchanges with the committees, sometimes even in contentious areas. That is especially true in hearings where officials from ministries or agencies are providing information, but examples of good in-depth discussions are, almost by definition, far too lengthy to include in a short programme. Good politics is seldom quick politics. Photo: VNP/Phil Smith *RNZ's The House, with insights into Parliament, legislation and issues, is made with funding from Parliament's Office of the Clerk. Enjoy our articles or podcast at RNZ.
