Lower Hutt woman prepares to deploy to the Solomon Islands

A Lower Hutt woman deploying to the Solomon Islands with the New Zealand Defence Force can’t wait to experience the country’s Pacific culture.

Private Gemma Dunford, a former Sacred Heart College student, says deploying with a contingent of 43 New Zealand soldiers this month will allow her to meet indigenous Solomon Islanders and experience their way of life.

“It’s a totally different way of life in the Solomon's so it will be a real eye opener. I don’t think you can fully appreciate the small things you take for granted in New Zealand until you travel somewhere where even clean drinking water can be hard to find.”

Private Dunford will work as a signaller on the four month deployment, providing radio communications support to her section during their regular security patrols.

She has been in the New Zealand Army for three years and the deployment to the Solomon Islands will be her first.

“It’s going to be hard to leave my friends and family but I’m really excited about going.”

New Zealand soldiers have supported the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands since 2003. They conduct regular security patrols through downtown Honiara and assist with external security at Rove prison.

Currently 607 New Zealand Defence Force personnel are deployed on 19 operations, UN missions and defence exercises around the world.

For further information please contact James Heffield, Defence Public Relations, on
04 529 6033 or 021 569 148.