HOW IT ALL BEGAN

Way back in 2012 a couple of guys decided that we needed a 20 year reunion to reunite a bunch of upstanding people, drink beers and tell war stories into the earlier hours. Turns out everyone had a blast so we're doing it all over again, this time to celebrate 30 years since our boots touched the sands of Somalia.

This site is being used to get the reunion off the ground and a place to share information ensuring everyone knows what is happening in our NZ Somalia Veterans Community.

After the reunion it will be a place to connect, plan local events, share memories, access media and buy other memorabilia as items are produced.

ADMIN ORDER SUPPLEMENTAL

The period from 2023 to 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of New Zealand Defence Force operations in Somalia. These operations, were conducted in three distinct phases known as Operation Restore Hope and Operation Continue Hope (under UNOSOM I and II), and Operation Samaritan, a coalition of UN members led by the United States forming UNITAF.

The operations played a vital role in the UN mission, which aimed to protect the delivery of humanitarian aid and restore peace in Somalia. They showcased the NZDF's and coalition partners ability to swiftly respond to complex operational demands in a volatile and hostile theater of operations. Approx 250 NZDF personnel were deployed to Somalia over this period.

The upcoming reunion will specifically focus on New Zealand's contributions to the operations in Somalia between 1992 and 1994. It is open not only to our enduring ANZAC partners from across the Tasman Sea but also to supporting allied nations and NGO contributions. This reunion will celebrate a significant milestone and will build upon the success of the previous reunion held in Upper Hutt, New Zealand in 2013, as well as the exceptional 30-year reunion hosted by Australia in Canberra April 2023.

OUR AIM
The aim of our reunion is to:

Mark 30 years since the conduct of operations in Somalia by New Zealand
Defence Force, Australian Defence Force and partners.
Foster es-spirit-de service and the enduring ANZAC spirit.
Promote physical and mental well being and the support agencies for our veterans and their families.
Continue to preserve Somalia deployment history.