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On what date did his office first contact the New Zealand Defence Force to book Air Force to transport him to Auckland on 23 July 2026, and was this from Ohakea Airbase?

Answered Question 35475 (2026)
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Asked by

Chris Hipkins

Member for Remutaka · Labour Party

Question

  • On what date did his office first contact the New Zealand Defence Force to book Air Force to transport him to Auckland on 23 July 2026, and was this from Ohakea Airbase?

Answered by

Rt Hon Christopher Luxon

Member for Botany · National Party · Prime Minister

Answer

My office first contacted the NZDF on Monday 20th July once the timing of arrangements for the funeral for Sir Bill Birch was finalised. There were no commercial flight options that would have enabled me to get to the event on the 24th of July which was scheduled to start at 730am. The flight was from Whanganui.