Man who worked with NZDF in Afghanistan killed by Taliban overnight

October 7, 2021
Afghan interpreters who served with the NZDF stand outside Parliament to ask the Government to help their families in Afghanistan.

A person who worked with the New Zealand Defence Force in Afghanistan was killed by the Taliban overnight, 1News understands. 

Meanwhile, the calls continue for the Government to help more people who had worked with New Zealand get out of Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. 

In September, Afghan interpreters stood outside Parliament for three hours hoping to meet with the Government. The interpreters said they were fearful that their families were being hunted by the Taliban because they had helped New Zealand. 

"Our families are scared and are in hiding,” one interpreter said at the time. 

On Thursday, the Government announced it was sending a Special Representative to the Middle East to help people who have been granted visas get out of Afghanistan. 

Twenty interpreters who helped NZ forces are worried about their families being hunted by the Taliban.

Visas have been granted for more than 1250 people. Those visas included many at risk from the Taliban, such as judges, human rights workers and prominent women. 

Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said the Government was now focussed on how to support people to enter New Zealand. 

Dr Ellen Nelsen, a former army captain helping Afghans flee the country, said it was a good first step. 

“There's more [New Zealand] can do to issue visas to people who are eligible, and there's more that our country can be doing to urgently get these people out to safety,” Nelsen said.

“And if we don't do it, more people are going to die just like this guy yesterday.” 

Prior to the withdrawal, 393 New Zealand visa holders were evacuated from Afghanistan and another 35 have arrived since.

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