The last New Zealand troops to leave Afghanistan have arrived home to cheers and applause from family and friends.
Sixty members of the Provincial Reconstruction Team touched down at Christchurch airport on Saturday evening.
Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman met the troops and said he is enormously proud of the work that has been carried out.
Mr Coleman said he is confident the region is stable enough for the Afghan people to govern alone.
Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Sholto Stevens also said he was confident the Afghanistan government will be able to continue with the work the New Zealanders have begun.
A team based at Bagram Air Base continues working on the final logistics of returning equipment and supplies to New Zealand and will return in May.
Departing soldiers carry gear to an RNZAF Hercules before leaving Bamyan province. Photo: NZ DEFENCE FORCE
