Former Defence Minister Ron Mark says the government has turned down his request to send body armour to the people of Ukraine. 

Mark spoke to Kaitlin Ruddock and Peter Wolfkamp on Good Friday about his request which comes from his network of organisations working in Ukraine. 

“One of the things they were needing was body armour,” Mark said of those distributing aid 

“There were occasions where artillery and missiles were landing within their proximity and naturally [they] were fearful.” 

Mark said he contacted Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta and asked for ten sets of body armour added to the government’s support package. 

“It didn’t go well,” he said. 

This week Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced New Zealand would send a C-130 aircraft to Europe to transport equipment and supplies for Ukraine. 

“I hope that the government is considering further options because this was the easy pick,” Mark said of the announcement. 

Those wanting to offer support to the people of Ukraine can visit Ron Mark’s Facebook page for further information.