Kiwi troops overseas for Christmas Day

It'll be the last Christmas New Zealand Defence Force troops spend in Afghanistan.

Our final rotation of soldiers will return home by the end of April next year.

Staff Sergeant Wayne Anderson is serving there as part of the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team.

He says it's just another Christmas really.

Wayne Anderson says most of the troops volunteered to be in Afghanistan over Christmas, so they're happy being there.

There'll be no cool refreshing Christmas Day beer for our troops however.

Wayne Anderson says he's looking forward to a traditional New Zealand style Christmas dinner with chicken, ham, pork and roast vegetables, as well as pavlova and trifle for dessert.

Afterwards, troops are allowed what's known as a 'near beer', which Wayne Anderson says tastes a bit like beer but has no alcohol in it.

Meanwhile, New Zealand troops in Antarctica hope they'll be able to touch base with family members by Skype today.

There are around 40 Defence Force personnel are on the continent for Christmas Day.

Lieutenant Commander Barry Holmes says arrangements have been made for them to make contact with their families.

He says while internet bandwidth is limited, on Christmas Day an effort is made to set some aside so troops can make calls.

Photo: Getty Images