In Australia, I had the privilege of honouring the fallen with a New Zealand wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier. Now attending the PACANZ 2023 Senior Leadership Retreat, hosted by General Angus Campbell in Canberra and Uluru 🇦🇺🇫🇯🇳🇿🇹🇱🇹🇴🇻🇺

Today we welcomed General Cương Vietnam People's Army Chief of the General Staff & Vice-Minister for National Defence. Great to discuss security interests in the Indo-Pacific region and opportunities to strengthen our defence relationship 🇻🇳🇳🇿

1/2 NEWS📢 We're taking part in the first hearing week of the Wai 2500 Military Veterans Kaupapa Inquiry into all claims involving past Māori military service.

➡️ nzdf.mil.nz/wai2500-23

#Force4NZ #NZArmy

Today, Rear Adm. Bailey met with New Zealand's 🇳🇿 Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Kevin R. Short at U.S. 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. The leaders discussed future opportunities for collaboration & expressed shared commitment to regional security & stability.

Today, in accordance with naval tradition, our Royal NZ Navy fired a 21-gun salute from #DevonportNavalBase to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.

At the same time, our New Zealand Army's 16FD fired a 21-gun salute from Point Jerningham, Wellington.

#Force4NZ #Coronation

Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou.
We will remember them.

Each #AnzacDay we renew our commitment to remembering all those who have served and those who are serving in the NZ Defence Force. We acknowledge and honour all they have done for Aotearoa New Zealand.

Emotions ran high during a solemn rededication & remembrance ceremony held on the Gallipoli Peninsula, where the NZ Maori Contingent made its camp before the assault on the heights of Chunuk Bair, an iconic but costly & ultimately unsuccessful attack.

➡️nzdf.mil.nz/maoripahsite23

Had a great experience today speaking with @DSSC Australia about the NZ Defence Force's strategic priorities. Grateful for the chance to collaborate and share insights. Special thanks to Australian Defence College for being wonderful hosts!

NEWS📢Today, Royal NZ Navy and Royal NZ Air Force teams have been in Auckland communities helping with relocations, waste removal and more.

Crew on a Seasprite helicopter took Emergency Management staff on a recon flight over areas of Auckland yesterday.

➡️nzdf.mil.nz/nzdf-ready-to-…

#Force4NZ

It felt bittersweet to farewell our last two P-3K2 Orion aircraft yesterday. With over 5,000 flying hours in the P3 myself, I will miss this faithful fleet, which has looked after not just our crews for over 55 years but all of Aotearoa & our Pacific neighbours.

#Force4NZ

We're assisting civil defence authorities and emergency services in response to catastrophic flooding across Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland.

#Force4NZ
nzdf.mil.nz/news/defence-f…

Thank you to my friend Brigadier General Lord Fielakepa & His Majesty’s Armed Forces, Tonga for again providing a very warm welcome. It was an honour to meet HRH Crown Prince Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala & PM Siaosi Sovaleni - Huakavameiliku, & tour HMAF bases with Air Marshal Kevin Short AM Kevin Short.
#PacificFamily

Thank you for the warm welcome New Caledonia, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands!

With General Angus Campbell, we had great discussions about working together with our Pacific partners on their priorities to build a more secure, stable, and resilient Pacific.

Many of our people dedicated their faces to #Movember last month, growing moustaches in various styles to raise awareness for men's health. I was honoured to judge these efforts with Tāne Toa lead Brad Poulter.

Our people have covered 3,668.15km & raised more than $21k 👏👏

Today we celebrated excellence in the #NZDF . Bravo Zulu to LYDS James Faleofa for being named the 2022 Person of the Year. He demonstrates our NZDF values, & his efforts exemplify the phrase ‘for the people, with the people’.

Read about LYDS Faleofa ➡️ nzdf.mil.nz/LYDS-Faleofa

When it comes to aviation, ground support is often behind-the-scenes that may not get much time in the spotlight but is important work. I enjoyed visiting the Harewood Terminal team, which is supporting flights into one of the most remote places in the world - Antarctica.