The Government's sending six defence force personnel to the Middle East to help take out the Houthi fighters attacking shipping in the Red Sea.
The deployment, which could run until the end of July, will support the military efforts led by the United States to protect commercial and merchant vessels.
The attacks are disrupting supply lines and forcing ships to voyage thousands of kilometres further around Africa.
The United Nations' Security Council has condemned the Houthis' attacks, demanding they immediately cease, but has not specifically endorsed such military actions.
Regional leaders are concerned the air strikes could de-stabilise the tenuous peace in Yemen, which has held since mid-2022.
Minister of Defence Judith Collins spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
