Story: Peacekeeping

Reconstructing Bamyan

Reconstructing Bamyan

New Zealand Defence Force personnel formed a provincial reconstruction team (PRT) in Bamyan, Afghanistan. Their work included building schools, working with local education officials on planning and training, and providing basic equipment. Captain Kalo Lalahi is shown here in 2009 handing out pens, books and radios for the Bamyan Orphanage School, which was close to the Kiwi base.

The work done by the PRT was strongly supported in New Zealand. More controversial was that undertaken by the Special Air Service (SAS) branch of the Defence Force, particularly after allegations that prisoners they handed to Afghan and US forces were subsequently tortured. While mentoring the Afghan military and police, the SAS became actively involved in a number of operations.

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New Zealand Defence Force

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How to cite this page:

David Capie, 'Peacekeeping - New Zealand’s involvement in peacekeeping', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/36074/reconstructing-bamyan (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by David Capie, published 20 Jun 2012, updated 1 Jun 2015