NZ to deploy SAS to Afghanistan

NZ troops more often serve as peacekeepers, as these in East Timor

New Zealand is to send a contingent of elite troops to Afghanistan, Prime Minister John Key has announced.

About 70 members of the Special Air Service (SAS) will be deployed in three rotations covering 18 months, he said.

"We're deploying our elite military there to try and stabilise the position," Mr Key said.

Meanwhile, the number of regular troops in New Zealand's 140-member provincial reconstruction team based in Bamiyan province is to be reduced.

An increased civilian effort is to be made there, with a focus on agriculture, health and education.

Mr Key said the provincial reconstruction team would also work on building up the Afghan National Police with a view to transfer control of security in Bamiyan province to them.

The government would also appoint a diplomatic representative to Afghanistan, instead of having New Zealand represented from neighbouring Iran, he said.

New Zealand's SAS has already had three tours in Afghanistan, the last in 2006, and the US had requested their return. Mr Key did not say where the SAS troops would be serving.

"New Zealand has a direct and vital interest in supporting international efforts to eradicate terrorism," Mr Key said in a statement.

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