Scots help in New Zealand floods

Scottish troops who travelled to New Zealand to compete in one of the world’s toughest outdoor events have been diverted to help with the flooding state of emergency in New Zealand’s South Island.

Eight members of the Highlanders, 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (4 Scots) were in New Zealand for the first time training ahead of the 2017 Twin Peaks Battle Tab, a gruelling and arduously challenging 26-kilometre race up the highest peaks surrounding Dunedin, wearing full battle gear and carrying Steyr rifles.

However ferocious storms at the weekend caused landslides, flooding and power cuts leading to hundreds of residents being evacuated from their homes.

The race was cancelled and the Scottish soldiers volunteered their services, working alongside New Zealand Defence Force personnel to support flood-stricken communities in emergency zones in Christchurch, Timaru District, Otago and Dunedin.

Captain Mathew Rupasinha, platoon commander of 4 Scots, said eight soldiers who had been training for the race were delighted to join in the emergency effort.