Festive cheer far from home

While deployed overseas, New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel do their best to celebrate Christmas without their families and friends back home.

However, two senior commanders were on hand to deliver some festive cheer in person over the past few days.

The Chief of Army, Major General Peter Kelly, visited Kiwi soldiers at the Taji Military Complex in Iraq, serving as part of the Building Partner Capacity mission.

The Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, Major General Tim Gall, also visited New Zealanders deployed to the Sinai Peninsula, as well as to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.

While those at the Taji Military Complex wouldn't be getting much time off, they were determined to make the most of Christmas despite the challenging environment, Major Kelly said.

"They are in really good spirits and enjoying the work they are doing. They will be able to Skype or call home on Christmas morning, they'll have a pretty good meal and there will also be some sporting activities with our Australian colleagues over there ... I expect the usual Anzac rivalry will be to the fore," he said.

The New Zealand soldiers in Sinai Peninsula and South Sudan were focused on their important responsibilities - working with displaced people in "crowded and basic" UN camps, who were also trying to commemorate Christmas in the largely Christian society, Major Gall said.

"[This] highlights that being away from home over Christmas is a small price to pay for the important work they are doing with the UN.

"It's always tough being away at this time of the year, and their thoughts are naturally centred on loved ones at home, but that's the nature of the job we do. On the day, they will be marking the occasion in as many of the usual ways as possible and hopefully having a little bit of a break."