NZ Defence Force to conclude 20-year deployment to Afghanistan by May

The New Zealand Defence Force is set to conclude its 20-year deployment to Afghanistan by May, TVNZ reports. The final six personnel, three deployed at the Afghanistan National Army Officer Academy and the other three deployed at the NATO Resolute Support Mission Headquarters, will head home then. Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said the withdrawal of the defence force comes after discussions with key partners. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Peeni Henare said NZ has helped ‘establish the conditions for the current intra-Afghan peace process” and “improve the lives of the people of Afghanistan, particularly in Bamyan Province.”