11 Apr 2016

NZ military winding up post-cyclone help in Fiji

10:10 am on 11 April 2016
The NH90 hovering over a remote village, ready to land and drop in aid

The NH90 hovering over a remote village, ready to land and drop in aid Photo: RNZI Sally Round

The New Zealand Defence Force plans to wind up its aid to Fiji towards the end of the week.

300 troops are still in Fiji after it was badly hit by Cyclone Winston nearly two months ago.

Two of the force's new fleet of NH90 helicopters have been making up to six drops a day of tents, food and other supplies.

Flight Lieutenant Peter Familton piloted one of the aircraft yesterday to hard-hit Taveuni island.

"The village that we're taking the stores to in Taveuni, I know over seventy percent of the houses were affected, and this is the first chance they've had to receive any stores so it's pretty important we get them up there."

A small medical dispensary on Taveuni Island Fiji

A small medical dispensary on Taveuni Island Fiji Photo: Alex Perrottet/RNZ