WELLINGTON, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- A total of 129 New Zealand defense force personnel left for Afghanistan on Sunday for a six-month tour of duty supporting the United Nations in its provincial reconstruction of the province of Bamyan, Newstalk ZB radio reported.

    Captain Chris Purdie said the contingent will liaise with locals, support government agencies, and also do some engineering work. He added that a lot of preparation has gone on and the troops know roughly what they are in for, but each individual will experience it differently.

    The New Zealand Defense Force has been working in Bamyan for five years.