Soldiers get rolling to big Defence Force exercise
Military convoys rolling across the alternate route from Picton to Christchurch this week are part of New Zealand’s largest biennial armed forces exercise.
Soldiers and equipment are being transferred for the international military Exercise Southern Katipo being staged in the upper South Island.
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said more than 100 New Zealand Defence Force vehicles, army trucks and larger vehicles would be moved from Burnham Military Camp to Omaka Air Base in Blenheim over the next three nights.
The NZTA urged motorists to be patient while the convoys passed.
‘‘If you’re on the alternate Picton to Christchurch route during the night from Wednesday this week, we ask for patience if you come across these army convoys,’’ NZTA manager Tresca Forrester said.
Convoys of up to 10 vehicles would leave at 10-minute intervals from Burnham after 6pm each night. The convoys would stay overnight in St Arnaud and then proceed to Omaka.
Exercise Southern Katipo is New Zealand’s largest military exercise, held every two years in varying parts of the country.
This year’s exercise starts today around the Marlborough, Kaikoura, Tasman and Buller regions and runs until November 18.
It will involve up to 2500 military personnel and 500 role players.
Lieutenant Colonel Martin Dransfield said Blenheim residents should also expect an increased military presence during the exercise.