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The Minister of Defence, Jonathan Coleman,
has made a surprise visit to Afghanistan
in a time of great unrest in Kabul.
Many Maori troops are stationed there trying to keep the peace.
It's a land entrenched with the sound of guns and bombs;
for a short time today, only the haka was heard.
Welcoming the Minister of Defence, Jonathon Coleman.
This has been their barracks for around 10 years.
It's home to 140 soldiers, and many of them are Maori.
They're well aware of the dangers they could face.
Following an attack on Kabul, soldiers and the NZ Ambassador,
based close to the front line, made sure the home camp was secure.
The attacks cut short a visit by the Defence Minister,
and he's spent hours here in Kabul, instead of days.
However, he made time to call the Crisis Response Unit
to thank them personally, along with Governor Habiba Sarabi.
As the governor of the area is a woman,
it may be a sign that times are changing for a better future.
Despite the hardship, Kiwi soldiers made progress
in reconstruction and training the soldiers here so that
they are able to defend themselves when the NZ forces pull out.
Tini Molyneux, Te Karere.