Major General Peter Kelly, New Zealand Chief of Army, is visiting Tonga this week ahead of a humanitarian and disaster relief exercise ‘Tropic Twilight’ to be led by New Zealand’s Army later this year in Ha’apai, involving defence forces from Tonga, Australia, US, China, Britain, and France.

The New Zealand Navy will also conduct ‘Exercise Calypso’ where fisheries patrols will be coordinated throughout the Pacific including Tongan waters.

Maj. Gen. Kelly is meeting with Tonga's Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Fielakepa, as well as the Minister of Defence Lord Ma’afu, and HMAF senior officers to discuss the exercises.

The Tonga and New Zealand defence forces have a close relationship dating back to the First World War.

“It is great to be able to visit and discuss the ongoing relationship with the Brigadier and his staff.” stated  Maj. Gen. Kelly.

“Our forces have served alongside each other in peace time and at war. In fact, our two forces are serving alongside each other right now in Fiji helping with the clean-up following Tropical Cyclone Winston,” he said.

Maj. Gen. Kelly will tour the Masefield Naval Base and the Taliai Camp while in Tonga.