New Zealand is stepping up its involvement in the Red Sea dispute with Yemen's Houthis, sending six defence personnel to the Middle East.
Houthi militants have fired missiles towards ships travelling through the key trade corridor in recent weeks in an attempt to influence the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Earlier this month, New Zealand joined a clutch of countries, including Australia, to support to a United States and United Kingdom-led military response to the strikes.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Chris Luxon announced a small delegation of Kiwi troops would "contribute to the collective self-defence of ships".
"Houthi attacks against commercial and naval shipping are illegal, unacceptable and profoundly destabilising," Mr Luxon said.
"Secure shipping lanes are integral to our national interests.
"This deployment, as part of an international coalition, is a continuation of New Zealand's long history of defending freedom of navigation both in the Middle East and closer to home."
The troops will not enter Yemen as part of their deployments, but instead would work from headquarters around the region.
New Zealand has maintained defence personnel in the Middle East since 1954, including four current multilateral missions.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the deployment "should not be conflated with its position on the Israel-Gaza conflict".
"Any suggestion our ongoing support for maritime security in the Middle East is connected to recent developments in Israel and the Gaza Strip, is wrong," he said.
"We care deeply about regional security because our economic and strategic interests depend on it."
