NZDF delivers school books in Yasawa Island

Students on Yasawa Island had a surprise visit today from the Royal New Zealand Air Force, who delivered two tonnes of books and school supplies on behalf of the Ministry of Education.

The delivery came in the middle of the New Zealand Defence Force’s Operation Mahi Tahi, where nearly 300 personnel are using the HMNZS Canterbury as a “Pacific Ocean lily pad” to carry out humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training and other tasks.

Flight Lieutenant Glenn Blay who was the captain of one of the NH90 helicopters involved in the education drop says they had three aircraft go up to the Yasawa Islands.

Flight Lieutenant Blay says they went to Naviti District School, where the students were keen to see them, and the boys got out and played some footy and had some photographs taken.

Without the assistance, the books and school supplies would have to be delivered by small boats, which would have been difficult with recent weather.