6 Apr 2012

Soldier's body returns to NZ

6:09 am on 6 April 2012

The body of the New Zealand soldier who died in Afghanistan is on its way back to New Zealand.

Corporal Douglas Hughes, 26, from Tuakau died during an off-duty incident in Afghanistan on Tuesday.

He is being farewelled by his comrades in Afghanistan before being flown to Australia. From there he will be transported back to New Zealand.

He is expected to arrive in Auckland on Saturday, where he will be met by his family and senior military officials.

An investigation into how Corporal Hughes died is continuing.