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 @CDF_Aust 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.
➡️ https://t.co/JOzCpeNZ7G
#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 @NZNavy fired a 21-gun salute from #DevonportNavalBase to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.
At the same time, our @NZArmy's 16FD fired a 21-gun salute from Point Jerningham, Wellington.
#Force4NZ#Coronation
2/2 This was an opportune time to affirm the strong relationship between our militaries, during a short stop-over on my way back home from Anzac Day events in Türkiye. I look forward to us working together in the future.
#Force4NZ
1/2 Kia ora and Ni hao to new relationships 🤝🇸🇬 This week, I had the opportunity to meet informally, and for the first time, with RADM Aaron Beng - the new Chief of Singapore Armed Forces.
#Force4NZ
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 @NZDefenceForce. 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.
➡️https://t.co/b5YYL0qd9N
2/2 I’m very proud of the responses our people have been jointly involved in and this has definitely benefited our strong bilateral relationship.
#Force4NZ
1/2 I was humbled to be appointed the Order of Australia at Government House Canberra yesterday.
NZ’s defence and security is better off for having a strong relationship with Australia which in turn makes for a more stable Pacific region.
#Force4NZ
Had a great experience today speaking with @AustraliaDssc about the @NZDefenceForce's strategic priorities. Grateful for the chance to collaborate and share insights. Special thanks to @ADC_Australia for being wonderful hosts!
Kia Ora @CDF_NZ and welcome to the College! Fantastic to have you address @AustraliaDssc and thank you for sharing your views on 🇳🇿 strategic priorities and shared security challenges.
NEWS📢Today, @NZNavy and @NZAirForce 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.
➡️https://t.co/aunqEhm5T5
#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
https://t.co/ZX1R3WxC2x
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 @Huakavameiliku, & tour HMAF bases with @CDF_NZ AM Kevin Short.
#PacificFamily
Thank you for the warm welcome New Caledonia, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands!
With @CDF_Aust, 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 ➡️ https://t.co/WdQzPo4khj
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.