Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard says sending New Zealand and Australian troops to Afghanistan was the right thing to do.
Last month, five New Zealand soldiers and five Australian soldiers were killed in separate incidents in Afghanistan.
Mr Howard was the keynote speaker at the New Zealand Property Council annual conference in Queenstown on Thursday.
He told Radio New Zealand that Australasian troops have successfully contributed to the goal of denying Al Qaeda a safe haven.
"Most importantly we have to remember that the men and women of our defence forces are carrying a burden for us and paying a price that none of us are paying.
"They therefore deserve the special place they occupy in the community's respect and regard."
Mr Howard says the New Zealand and Australian Governments should see their commitment in Afghanistan through.
