Source: New Zealand Defence Force7 August 2026The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has formally assumed the hosting and leadership of the Pacific Response Group (PRG) from the Australian Defence Force (ADF), as the regional crisis response capability heads into its third year. The PRG, established in 2024 under the South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting, is a multinational capability designed to deliver coordinated military support to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) and crisis response operations across the Pacific. The PRG brings together defence personnel from New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, France, Papua New Guinea and Tonga, with Chile participating in a supporting role. Together, we are strengthening a capability that is by the Pacific, for the Pacific. “New Zealand is proud to assume leadership of this important initiative, building on the strong foundations established by Australia and our regional partners.”