NZDF’s Ex Tropic Twilight Concludes On Remote Penrhyn

After nearly six
weeks working alongside Penrhyn locals, around 50 New
Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel have delivered
infrastructure, health, hydrographic support and friendship
to one of the most remote communities in the Cook
Islands.

Penrhyn, or Tongareva, is nearly 1,400km
north of Rarotonga.

The NZDF’s Exercise Tropic
Twilight ran from early September to mid-October and
involved personnel from 25 Engineer Support Squadron, 2
Engineer Regiment, nine medical and dental personnel and
eight Royal New Zealand Navy hydrography personnel. Vanuatu
Mobile Force and Les Forces armées en Polynésie française
personnel also took part.

NZDF Youth
Development Unit personnel also supported a Blue Light youth
development programme in Aitutaki.

Tropic Twilight is
an annual NZDF-led, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
(MFAT)-funded series of South Pacific Humanitarian
Assistance and Disaster Relief activities. The location and
tasks are mutually agreed between the NZDF and MFAT, which
provides project funding.

Detachment Commander, Major
Cam Gurney, said the exercise aimed to strengthen the
partnership between New Zealand and the Cook Islands and
contribute to Pacific resilience.

“Whether working
alongside the community or supporting local schools, we had
the opportunity to represent New Zealand and the NZDF in a
positive way.

“Looking at the friendships that have
been formed and the work that we have achieved together, I
believe we have succeeded.”

NZ Army engineers
completed projects including construction of a laundry at
the Omoka Cyclone Centre, a new shelter and water
infrastructure at Omoka School, repairs to school stairs and
decking, upgrades to toilet block fixtures and fittings, and
the fit-out of a new life-skills classroom.

Five solar
stills were installed; electrical work was completed at Te
Tautua School and water tanks used to increase water
collection capacity at community buildings.

NZDF
health personnel worked alongside local providers and almost
60 dental patients received treatment during 17 days of
clinics. They also provided checks, medication reviews and
follow-ups for residents with ongoing health
conditions.

Navy hydrographers surveyed Penrhyn’s
navigational approaches, lagoon transit routes and other
significant areas, using sonar to build a clearer picture of
the seafloor and previously uncharted hazards. The
information will be provided to the Cook Islands
Government.

Major Gurney said the relationships
developed were just as important as the physical
work.

Personnel had been welcomed into Penrhyn’s
homes, churches, workplaces and community life. The level of
hospitality stood out across his operational and exercise
experience, he said.

Penrhyn Mayor Rangi Taia said the
community was grateful for both the work completed and the
way personnel had become part of life on
Penrhyn.

“From the bottom of the hearts of the
people of Tongareva, thank you very much for the good job,
the kindness and the love you have given to my people,” he
said.

Major Gurney acknowledged the contribution
locals had made to completing the work, both on the project
sites and behind the scenes. Tongarevans had impressed him
with their adaptability and hospitality, despite the
challenges of such a remote environment.

“We arrived
as guests, but we leave as trusted partners and friends, and
that is a legacy that will endure long after the exercise
has ended.”

The scale of the work required
significant preplanning. Construction freight travelled by
barge, while specialist tools, personnel and priority
equipment were flown in by the Royal New Zealand Air
Force.

Logisticians planned for and delivered around
20,000 litres of drinking water, 2,000 ration packs, 10,000
litres of diesel and about 160 cubic metres of freight, as
well as thousands of construction items.

After the
exercise, tools and construction materials were donated to
Penrhyn for further community projects. Surplus ration packs
and drinking water were also
donated.

© Scoop Media