Foreword

In November 2001 we issued a report on the New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) deployment to East Timor, which took place in 1999. That report looked at how the NZDF planned for the East Timor operation, prepared a joint force, and subsequently deployed that force to East Timor.

We said in the November 2001 report (page 4) that we would be reporting on a second examination of the roles performed by two particular elements of the New Zealand force in East Timor – helicopters and medical support. This report contains the results of the final part of our examination. It examines the contribution of the variety of professionals from all three Services (Navy, Army and Air Force) who provided Health Support to the East Timor Deployment.

Our examination considered the medical preparations that were necessary for the deployment, how military personnel were supported while in East Timor, and what procedures and service were necessary in getting them back to New Zealand at the end of a tour of duty.

As with our earlier examination, the professionalism and helpfulness of the NZDF personnel in preparing this report have impressed us. I would like to thank in particular the Health Support personnel from Joint Forces Headquarters and Army No. 2 Field Hospital for their willingness and co-operation.

I hope that Parliament will find this report of interest, and that it will give the NZDF a basis to improve the Health Support Services currently provided.

K B Brady
Controller and Auditor-General

7 February 2003

The full text of this report is available in PDF format (1.05MB).