Prime Minister Christopher Luxon appears to have been hit by a shell casing while watching a military demonstration with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Earlier today, the New Zealand Government announced extending its deployment of Defence Force personnel in the United Kingdom to train Ukrainian troops until the end of the year.
Luxon and Starmer visited a military training site to witness the training first-hand to mark the occasion.
In video footage of the visit, Luxon and Starmer can be seen standing near a trench where soldiers are practice firing.
Luxon can be seen stepping back as what appears to be shell casings fly toward him and other spectators.
He did not seem injured, and continued conversing with those around him. 1News has asked Luxon’s office for comment about the incident.
Speaking to media after the bilateral meeting with Starmer, Luxon said it had been a “successful” and “positive” discussion.
“These are two countries that have a shared history, a shared outlook, shared set of values, and it makes sense for us to continue to deepen our bilateral relationship, and we are doing that through more trade and investment, more defence and security arrangements, more people to people links.”
Asked whether New Zealand was a part of Starmer’s Coalition of the Willing, Luxon said it was a “very broad arrangement”.
British and Kiwi soldiers help to train troops ahead of redeployment with war against Russia. (Source: 1News)
“We’re obviously party to some of the conversations that are taking place here in Europe around what may be possible post a ceasefire. But clearly, we need to see a ceasefire. We need to see a peace plan. As I’ve said before, we’re open to participating in a peacekeeping arrangement, but we would need to see peace secured first.”
The UK Government also announced a contract worth NZ$67m (£30m) for drones produced by SYOS Aerospace — a New Zealand uncrewed vehicle business with a factory in Hampshire.
Starmer said the new contract had been secured to support the defence of Ukraine.
“From the beaches of Gallipoli to the vital work we have been doing together on Operation Interflex and our support for Ukraine, the UK and New Zealand have stood shoulder-to-shoulder for generations in pursuit of peace and stability.”
Luxon to attend Gallipoli commemorations, Pope’s funeral
After the UK, Luxon would make his first official visit to Türkiye to attend Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli.
“This will be the first visit by a New Zealand Prime Minister to Türkiye since 2015. It also coincides with the 110th anniversary of the ANZAC landings,” he said.
“I am travelling to Gallipoli to honour the commitment and sacrifice of all New Zealand war veterans.”
From Türkiye, Luxon would fly to Rome to represent New Zealand at the funeral for Pope Francis.
“I will join those at St Peter’s Basilica mourning the loss of Pope Francis, while celebrating his service to the more than one billion Catholics across the world, including almost 450,000 in New Zealand,” he said.
