WELLINGTON, 17 February, 2021, (TON): New Zealand has announced its withdrawl of New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF) to Afghanistan by May 2021, concluding a 20-year deployment that was the country’s longest-running one.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Wednesday in statement that "after 20 years of a NZDF presence in Afghanistan, it is now time to conclude our deployment,"

"The deployments to Afghanistan have been one of the longest running in our history, and I wish to acknowledge the 10 New Zealanders who lost their lives in the line of duty, and the more than 3,500 NZDF and other agency personnel, whose commitment to replace conflict with peace will always be remembered," Ardern said.

Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said that although the environment remains complex, the intra-Afghan peace process affords Afghanistan the best prospect of an enduring political solution.

"New Zealand's decision to conclude its deployment to Afghanistan in 2021 has been discussed with our key partners, with whom we have cooperated closely over the last 20 years," Mahuta said.

Defense Minister Peeni Henare said the current deployment consists of six NZDF personnel - three deployed to the Afghanistan National Army Officer Academy and three deployed to the NATO Resolute Support Mission Headquarters.

New Zealand has had a military contribution in Afghanistan since 2001 and had deployed more than 3,500 defence and other agency personnel to the country since the US-led invasion in 2001.

The deployment at present comprises only six New Zealand Defence Force personnel, three at the Afghanistan National Army Office Academy and three with the Nato Resolute Support Mission Headquarters. Personnel numbers have decreased from 13 to six since June 2019.