As the war in Ukraine rolls on, New Zealand is providing a further $4.5 million to the NATO Trust Fund, extending Defence Force (NZDF) deployments in Europe, and providing legal support for the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson spoke to media after this week's Cabinet meeting:
In a statement, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern - who yesterday departed on her Europe trade trip - said the additional $4.5m being sent to the NATO Trust Fund would be spent on non-lethal supplies such as medical kits for the Ukraine Army, fuel, communications equipment and rations.
"New Zealand's contribution has been significant and meaningful. While in Madrid I intend to discuss the future trajectory of the war, and what additional humanitarian needs we can expect," Ardern said.
It adds to $4.24m committed in March, and other New Zealand aid spending on the conflict totalling $33m.
A military officer would also be seconded to support ICC investigations, and $1m would go to the ICC Trust Fund for Victims and the ICC Office of the Prosecutor.
New Zealand will double its deployment NZDF intelligence agents to the UK, bringing the number to 12, and they will remain for a further five months until 30 November.
Two liaison officers in Belgium and the UK would also remain for a further five months, ending on the same date.
A further four logistics specialists in Germany would remain for a further two months, until 31 August.
Robertson said a further NZDF liaison officer would also be brought in for two months.
"On a related note, the RNZAF C-130 Hercules and personnel that were deployed to Europe in support of Ukraine have completed their mission and returned to New Zealand yesterday."
He said the crew had been sent to transport military equipment and stores including medical supplies. They performed 62 flights, including transporting 256,000kg of military aid.
Personel sent to help with training in the L119 light gun in the UK are expected to return to New Zealand next month.
Robertson said today's support demonstrates New Zealand's complete support for the people of Ukraine.
"I want the people of Ukraine to know they can continue to rely on sustained support from New Zealand - all points I know that the prime minister will take with her on her visit to Europe."
Robertson is acting Prime Minister while Jacinda Ardern is in Europe in part to help nail down a free trade agreement with the EU.
He this morning told RNZ good progress was being made on a "complex" deal, and he was very optimistic about securing good outcomes for New Zealand.
He said the support for Ukraine is not because the government hopes to influence the EU free trade agreement.
"We're doing this because, as we've said from the beginning, the people of Ukraine have been subject to an illegal invasion by Russia and they need our help and our support.
"We value the relationships we have in the European Union, we share a lot of values and so it's important for us in situations like this to do the right thing. The free trade negotiations are separate to that - they've been ongoing for some time - and we continue to be at the table to get the best outcomes we can.
"But our role in the Ukraine is simply about doing the right thing."