Former Ōhakune man Gordon Munn part of Defence Force team fighting bushfires in Tasmania, Australia

Corporal Gordon Munn, formerly of Ōhakune, is in Australia to help fight the Tasmanian bushfires.

A former Ōhakune volunteer firefighter is one of five New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) staff tackling the Tasmanian bushfires.

Corporal Gordon Munn, who joined the Defence Force in 2014 and is now based at RNZAF Base at Woodbourne, served as a volunteer firefighter in Ōhakune for five years.

He is one of the NZDF firefighters who have joined a Fire and Emergency New Zealand team to assist about 500 personnel from Tasmania Fire Service and other parts of Australia.

Munn said he had read the news about the extreme conditions that fire crews in Tasmania were facing but was confident that the New Zealand team's training would serve them well.

"We've learnt various techniques to fight big fires and we are looking forward to working with the Tasmania Fire Service and the rest of the crew that are already there," Munn said.

"Hot and dry conditions make it very challenging for firefighters to contain fires and climate change will make it even worse in years to come."

Munn comes from a family of firefighters, with his late father Kevin and three sisters also serving as volunteers.

"Our parents instilled in us the volunteering ethos," he said.

"Through their example, we learnt what a fantastic opportunity it is to help other people.

"Like any other job, you do your best. In our case, we work to contain the fire, save people's lives and protect properties."

Munn is currently a volunteer with the Blenheim Fire Brigade.