The military mission to get New Zealand's remaining citizens out of Afghanistan is to depart from Auckland's Whenuapai Base on Thursday morning.
About 40 personnel will board the Hercules aircraft and begin the deployment to evacuate more than 100 citizens from the Taliban-ruled country.
Thirty-seven Afghan nationals who previously aided New Zealand forces will also be evacuated, along with their immediate families.
The NZDF will not be required to land in the capital Kabul itself, but will be providing airlift support in and around Afghanistan.
Commander Joint Forces New Zealand Rear Admiral Jim Gilmour spoke to Guyon Espiner.
