Second shift takes over on front line of relief

A New Zealand medical team leaves for Indonesia this week to replace a group which has been working in devastated towns since late December.

Sixty-two Defence Force personnel will replace personnel who have been in Jakarta, Medan and the tsunami-devastated province of Banda Aceh.

The Defence Force said rotation of personnel was needed because of the demanding nature of operations in extreme working conditions.

The second contingent, consisting of a light medical team and Air Force aircrew, will leave from Ohakea in Manawatu just before 11 am tomorrow.

They will be deployed for 60 days and should return towards the end of March.

The staff they will replace will return to New Zealand after completing a handover with the replacement group.

They are expected to arrive back in New Zealand in the early hours of Tuesday, February 8.

When Parliament resumed yesterday, MPs stood for a minute's silence to remember the victims of the Boxing Day tsunami.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said the catastrophe shattered many communities in the Indian Ocean region, but its effects were felt around the world.

"New Zealand families too were directly touched by this tragedy," she told Parliament.

"Some of our people will never come home, and some may never be identified. Others have come home deeply distressed and troubled by what they witnessed."

New Zealanders had willingly come forward to help in many ways, from donating to relief funds, to working on the ground in Southeast Asia, Helen Clark said.

National leader Don Brash said it was miraculous that only a few New Zealanders lost their lives.

Two New Zealanders have been confirmed dead and a further four are missing, presumed dead.

"The generosity of so many New Zealanders to help the victims of this disaster and the efforts of our armed services personnel, police and civilians, makes us all proud to be New Zealanders."

Dr Brash conceded he was initially critical of the time it took the Government to offer assistance.

"But let me say clearly, I commend the Government for the aid package that they put in place for the victims of this disaster."

- NZPA