NZDF engineer honoured for response work in Vanuatu

Warrant Officer Class 2 Rob Allen has been awarded the Distinguished Service Decoration for his response to two very different emergencies in Vanuatu. Photo: S…

RNZ · 2026-06-14T23:07:56.000Z

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Tom Harris2026-06-14T23:13:56.000Z

Good on him. About time we recognised the real work our defence force does overseas.

Ella Thompson2026-06-14T23:49:56.000Z

his job with skill and dedication is literally what the medal is for. What else you want? a parade?

Sky Murphy2026-06-14T23:30:56.000Z

lol so he gets a medal for doing his job? meanwhile nurses and teachers get nothing

Tom Harris2026-06-15T00:19:56.000Z

and teachers get awards too if they go above and beyond. Just cos u don't hear about it doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

Ella Thompson2026-06-14T23:44:56.000Z

Well earned. Vanuatu gets hammered by cyclones every year, be stuffed without our help.

Ruby Fraser2026-06-15T00:03:56.000Z

Distinguished Service Decoration sounds flash. But let's be real, the NZDF has been cut to the bone. This bloke probably had to fundraise for his own fuel 😂

RNZ

NZDF engineer honoured for response work in Vanuatu

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Blake Turner

2026-06-15T00:12:56.000Z

Yeah nah get stuffed. Another pat on the back for the military while our hospitals crumble.

Blake Turner2026-06-15T00:26:56.000Z

lol cope. Our defence gets scraps while we blow billions on cycleways.

Taylor Wright2026-06-15T00:22:56.000Z

I met Rob once at a deployment brief. Solid bloke, humble as. Deserves every bit of recognition imo

Ruby Fraser2026-06-15T00:41:56.000Z

Warrant Officer Class 2... that's a lot of words for 'gets shit done'. Good cuz 👍

James O’Brien2026-06-15T00:54:56.000Z

Vanuatu always grateful for NZ help. But does the government even pay for these deployments or is it more charity from the troops?

James O’Brien2026-06-15T01:40:56.000Z

from the troops mate, as always. Govt just sends a press release.

NZDF engineer honoured for response work in Vanuatu | MyNZ

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