OPERATION SOLOMON ISLANDS ASSISTANCE

A small New Zealand Army team is making its mark in the Solomon Islands.

The Multi-National Police Support Group (MPSG) is an ADF led military force based in Honiara as part of the Solomons’ International Assistance Force (SIAF), the Australian Federal Police (AFP) led police and military force deployed in the wake of the November 2021 riots. The NZDF initially deployed elements of the High Readiness Task Unit and HQ DJIATF, alongside the ADF’s Ready Combat Team, in November 2021.

Once the situation in Honiara calmed down the majority of the military forces pulled out leaving the MPSG in Honiara.

The MPSG numbers comprises members from the ADF, Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the four New Zealand Army personnel.

The NZDF personnel fill the TG 2IC/Operations Officer, TG RSM, Training and Works Officer and Current Intelligence Officer Positions within the MPSG.

The MPSG has been providing ongoing support to the Royal Solomon Island Police Force through the conduct of partnered patrolling. RFMF, ADF and NZDF members alongside the RSIPF continue to be present in Honiara communities providing a security presence and maintaining stability.

Major Gareth Collings of 2 ER says engagements on patrols are positive with members stopping to play soccer with local children and handing out lollipops, playing card games and engaging in general conversation, sport being a popular conversation starter. “There are a lot of waves and smiles with some community members even now saying ‘Kia Ora’ when they see the Kiwi patch. The partnered patrols enable the MPSG, as part of SIAF, to provide a multinational presence as one Pacific family and integrate shared cultural practices.”

2023 will be a busy year for the Solomon Islands in preparation for the Pacific Games. The current situation in Honiara has seen the return of Solomon Islanders to the city and wider Guadalcanal area, with many adults returning to work and children to school.

There is ongoing development across Honiara for the preparation for the Pacific Games in November. Many Solomon Islanders are excited to host the games and look forward to the opportunity to attend sporting events.

Training and Works Cell (TWC)

A key component of the MPSG is the Training and Works Cell. The Cell is responsible for providing external training to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and internal training for MPSG personnel.

RSIPF Training

The New Zealand team is delivering First Aid courses for the RSIPF. This capability was requested by RSIPF and has been planned since 2022 with the first course was conducted recently. The course is designed to give the RSIPF very basic first aid skills utilising and improvising with the available resources they will have on or around them. The course has been well received and will train approximately 352 RSIPF officers before the Pacific games.

Quick Impact Projects (QIP)

The TWC are responsible for managing the ongoing quick impact projects being conducted by the MPSG. These projects are:

• A new kitchen at the Christian Care Center (CCC): The center is a refuge for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. The kitchen will have the capacity to cater for more than 40 people.

• Colina Two Water Catchment Project at Bloody Ridge: The Colina Two Community Church roof will receive guttering and feed water into four new 10,000 litre water tanks. This will support a community of over 150 people to be able to have clean drinking water rather than walking to the local river for water.

• Henderson Police Station (HPS)

Refurbishment: HPS is the HQ for the Guadalcanal Province which is the largest policing district on Guadalcanal, covering all of the island less Honiara itself. The project to improve the station’s capability includes the installation of solar power panels, POL storage facility for fuel drums, a car port for station vehicles, new kitchen, cell refurbishment, toilets upgrade, and container shelving installation. The HPS project is likely to be finished in May.

“Being involved with the planning and implementation of these projects that provides local communities with essential facilities which improves their lives is very satisfying and fills you with a sense of pride,” says Major Collings.

Australia and Waitangi Days

The contingent celebrated both New Zealand’s and Australia’s National Days. Australia Day was a low tempo day comprising sport, card games, and an Australian Quiz.

Waitangi Day was celebrated in a similar way, however the weather was terrible so sport couldn’t be played. “We shared our Kiwi culture with our Australian friends and made a hangi and fried bread. For a number of the Australians it was their first time seeing the hangi process from the start (food prep) to the finish (lifting the hangi and eating). Everyone got involved with the experience and mahi.

“One of the highlights for one person was enjoying hot fry bread with butter and golden syrup, “Sensational”. In the evening we were invited to celebrate Waitangi Day at the NZ High Commission with the NZ High Commissioner and other dignitaries in Honiara.

“Overall Op Solomon Islands Assistance is an enjoyable and busy deployment that is having a large strategic effect in the South West Pacific. The current contingent is enjoying the opportunity to interact with partner forces and the local community, and enjoying the chance to help improve life in the Solomon Islands through the maintenance of peace and security,” said Major Collings.

Staff Sergeant Andy Sawyer deployed in 2010 to the Solomon Islands on OP RATA 12 which provided support to the Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands. Part of his role included completing postal and bank runs into Honiara from Guadalcanal Beach Resort (GBR) each day.

“Early on in the deployment I was driving in Honiara and noticed the Solomon Islands Football Federation Training Centre and decided to pull in for an inquisitive look. On arrival I met Leonard Paia (Committee member) and

Jacob Moli (Solomon Islands National Team Coach). After a very warm and welcoming discussion, it became apparent that there was a lack of goalkeeping coaches within the Solomon Islands. Having played and been coached at a reasonable level throughout my footballing career, I offered my services to help with the goalkeepers noting that this was going to be subject to CO RAMSI’s approval. On my return to GBR I submitted a minute to the CO requesting permission to assist the Solomon Islands Football Federation which was subsequently approved. Over the duration of my deployment I conducted training sessions twice a week in the evenings and on international match days. On leaving the deployment I received a heartfelt letter from the Solomon Islands Football Federation thanking me for the assistance in preparing the Solomon Islands National Goalkeepers for the Pacific games 2011.

“Last year I was the nominated to attend the 80th Anniversary commemorations of the US invasion into Guadalcanal. Having remained in contact with Jacob and Leonard through Facebook, I arranged to meet up should the opportunity arise. Prior to attending 80th Anniversary commemorations I spoke to Mr Shane Higgison, President of Hokowhitu Football Club and Mr Jason Flynn, President of Palmerston North Football Club as to whether they had any training gear they would like to donate to the Solomon Islands Football Federation. They came up trumps and provided me with playing strips and training gear for both adults and juniors.”

SSGT Sawyer arranged for the kit to be taken to the Solomon Islands on a relief in place flight.

LT Berryman, 2 CSS Bn safehandled the training gear to the Solomon Islands Football Federation on his behalf. “I am looking to continue with my relationship with the Solomon