Thirty-five New Zealand soldiers are flying to Solomon Islands as replacement troops.
The platoon, from the Linton Military base in Manawatu, left Ohakea air base early this morning.
They will replace soldiers who have been in the Solomons for three months.
The Defence Force has 135 personnel serving as part of the Australian-led mission working to restore law and order there.
New Zealand still has four Iriquois helicopters in the islands with engineering and support staff, as well as the army's infantry platoon.
