20 Dec 2012

Afghan interpreter still seeking NZ help

2:11 pm on 20 December 2012

An Afghan interpreter seriously injured in a deadly attack on New Zealand soldiers two years ago is still waiting to hear whether he will be offered resettlement in New Zealand.

The interpreter, known only as AJ, says he has been ignored since being severely injured in the attack that killed Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell in Bamyan province in August 2010.

A New Zealand correspondent in Kabul, Jon Stephenson, says Defence Minister Jonathon Coleman has told him the interpreter is likely to be eligible for resettlement.

But Mr Stephenson told Radio New Zealand's Morning Report programme no such offer has been made which has upset AJ's family so much they wrote to the Defence Force to complain.

The letter says the family believe they are entitled to resettlement because of AJ's service and because the Taleban knows he has worked with the New Zealand troops.

The interpreter went to Turkey to seek medical treatment and is now in a refugee camp in Germany.