NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / New Zealand / Politics

Prime Minister's United States trip: Jacinda Ardern hosts post-Cabinet press conference

NZ Herald
23 May, 2022 02:20 AM7 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Jacinda Ardern holds post-Cabinet press conference

New Zealand will send 30 NZDF personnel to assist Ukraine against the Russian invasion.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the announcement at a post-Cabinet media conference on Monday.

The soldiers will be based in the UK throughout and will help train Ukrainian military personnel in operating L119 105mm light field guns.

"We have been clear throughout Russia's assault on Ukraine, that such a blatant attack on innocent lives and the sovereignty of another country is wrong, and our response has not only included the condemnation of Russia, but practical support for Ukraine," Ardern said.

"A New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) artillery training team of up to 30 personnel will be deployed to the United Kingdom to help train Ukrainian military personnel in operating L119 105mm light field guns.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"Our training team has been requested to help train members of Ukraine's Armed Forces in the use of the weapon system until the end of July.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and will work in tandem with our partners to ensure that we continue to make a meaningful and effective contribution."

Ardern said this deployment was another way the country could support Ukraine and demonstrated the specific skills New Zealand had, as few armed forces could provide this training.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"This new support comes in addition to the extensive assistance we have already provided to Ukraine, which encompasses the military, humanitarian, legal, and other aspects of the conflict," she said.

While they would be doing it from outside the contested areas, the support would still be significant, Ardern said.

Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Kevin Short said 230 Ukrainians would be trained and it would take about a week for each training session.

Minister of Defence Peeni Henare, said he was pleased New Zealand could offer the skills and experience of the Defence Force through this training, and was clear NZDF personnel would not be entering Ukraine.

"The Government is acting on a call for help with training, which will enable members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to operate L119 light field guns as they continue to defend their country against attacks by Russian forces," Henare said.

"We are also providing approximately 40 gun sights to Ukraine, along with a small quantity of ammunition for training purposes.

"An advance party will deploy this week with the remainder of the artillery training team deploying as soon as practicable. The training for the Ukrainian Armed Forces is expected to begin next month."

In a statement, Foreign Affairs Minister, Nanaia Mahuta said New Zealand has condemned and continues to condemn, unequivocally, Russia's unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine.

"We continue to work closely with a range of international partners in supporting Ukraine, including providing military support such as this, humanitarian assistance and supporting efforts to ensure accountability for human rights violations," Mahuta said.

The Government previously approved the deployment of a Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130H Hercules aircraft and NZDF personnel to the United Kingdom and Europe to provide intelligence, liaison, transportation and logistics support to the international community's efforts to support Ukraine's self-defence.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

The NZDF's New Zealand-based open-source intelligence capability has also been utilised, and military equipment has been donated to Ukraine.

New Zealand has also donated approximately $15.7 million to purchase military equipment for Ukraine, and commercial satellite access for Ukrainian Defence Intelligence, and has rolled out sanctions targeting those associated with Russia's invasion.

On the walkout over the weekend at an international meeting with Russia present, Ardern said these were examples of where forums are continuing and Russia participates countries choose to send clear messages.

Asked about any precedent this may set, Ardern said New Zealand's view was to be "in the room".

If Russia was present it was important to send the message "our view".

On former defence minister Ron Mark's visit to Ukraine and criticism of New Zealand's actions, Ardern said she disagreed with Mark and being present on the ground would not "add anything".

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Having politicians visit in the middle of the war did not add anything, as opposed to what was announced today, Ardern said.

Ardern's message on US trip, meeting Biden

On the trade mission to the US, Ardern said she would take the simple messages that New Zealand was open for business and recreation.

As the US opened up she wanted to make sure New Zealand was at the forefront of their minds. The US is New Zealand's third-largest market.

Asked about her potential meeting with US President Joe Biden, Ardern said there had been an intention to meet before she contracted Covid-19.

On the CPTPP, Ardern said New Zealand had been pushing it and would continue while the US had been pushing its own Indo-Pacific arrangements.

Asked about Aotearoa's high death rate compared to the US, Ardern said it was not comparing "apples with apples".

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

New Zealand's actual death rate was about half what was reported when taking into account deaths directly linked to Covid-19, Ardern said.

Ardern is set to meet with social media giant Twitter while in the US.

Asked if she expected to meet with billionaire Elon Musk, who is acquiring the platform, Ardern said the meeting would be "with people of leadership in the company".

On her Covid experience and travel plans ahead, Ardern said she felt okay and she had prioritised rest. But she understood for some their experience had been much different.

Relationship with Australia 'strong and enduring'

On her meetings with Australia PM-elect Anthony Albanese, Ardern said the last in-person encounter was in February.

Albanese had called Ardern on his way to meet supporters, and they then agreed to speak again the following day.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Ardern said the relationship with Australia was "strong and enduring". She said Albanese had already acknowledged friction between the countries on certain issues, which was helpful as they had been "problematic".

She expected a good exchange of ideas, including on climate change which is particularly of interest in the Pacific.

From a regional perspective, she expected a conversation about what was occurring.

Asked about the 501 issue, Ardern said her position had not changed.

While the Government "understood circumstances of people being deported" the area of grievance was those with little or no connection to New Zealand.

Ardern said she would not give anything away about her Harvard address. But she said she was "very humbled" by the opportunity, and had spent "quite a bit of time" thinking about what to say, on behalf of the country.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Russian sanctions

The Government has previously imposed five rounds of sanctions covering more than 700 Russian individuals and entities.

And in late March, nine New Zealand Defence Force personnel were deployed to the United Kingdom and Belgium to support other countries with tasks, including intelligence assessments.

New Zealand has also called for accountability for alleged Russian war crimes.

Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ukraine's Ambassador to New Zealand, urged the Government two weeks ago to do more to support his country in its war with Russia.

Russia pressed its offensive in eastern Ukraine on Sunday, AP reported.

And Polish president Andrzej Duda travelled to Kyiv to support Ukraine's European Union aspirations.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"I want to say clearly: Only Ukraine has the right to decide about its future. Only Ukraine has the right to decide for itself," Duda said.

Today's post-Cabinet press conference also follows Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Party's victory in the Australian Federal election.

Ardern has already congratulated Albanese, who emerged victorious over Scott Morrison after six weeks of campaigning, ending the conservative Coalition's almost decade-long reign.

National Party leader Christopher Luxon also congratulated Albanese, and said Australia was "New Zealand's closest friend".

Save

    Share this article

Latest from Politics

Premium
Politics

Treasury 'got it wrong' predicting KiwiRail to fall short of financial target, Winston Peters says

23 Jun 05:00 PM
Premium
Business|companies

Tech Insider: Australia's U16 social media ban passes key test – but NZ watchdog remains sceptical

23 Jun 05:00 PM
Premium
Opinion

Audrey Young: Why NZ is slow to loudly support US strikes on Iran

23 Jun 05:00 PM

Kaibosh gets a clean-energy boost in the fight against food waste

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Politics

Premium
Treasury 'got it wrong' predicting KiwiRail to fall short of financial target, Winston Peters says

Treasury 'got it wrong' predicting KiwiRail to fall short of financial target, Winston Peters says

23 Jun 05:00 PM

'Treasury were cautious given the economic conditions, but the company delivered.'

Premium
Tech Insider: Australia's U16 social media ban passes key test – but NZ watchdog remains sceptical

Tech Insider: Australia's U16 social media ban passes key test – but NZ watchdog remains sceptical

23 Jun 05:00 PM
Premium
Audrey Young: Why NZ is slow to loudly support US strikes on Iran

Audrey Young: Why NZ is slow to loudly support US strikes on Iran

23 Jun 05:00 PM
NZ First drafting bill to require only one Ngāpuhi settlement

NZ First drafting bill to require only one Ngāpuhi settlement

23 Jun 03:46 AM
Engage and explore one of the most remote places on Earth in comfort and style
sponsored

Engage and explore one of the most remote places on Earth in comfort and style

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP