Parts of Central Otago and the Mackenzie Basin will be transformed into the island nation "South Leziwt" for two weeks starting on Wednesday, for more than 500 defence force staff involved in a major military exercise.
The exercise would also involve some Ranfurly and Naseby residents who would act as the inhabitants of the "fictitious island nation" who require evacuation after "political unrest", an army spokeswoman said.
The exercise was the army's first major South Island collective training activity for the year and would involve soldiers from Burnham and air force personnel from Ohakea.
The exercise, based on a conventional training scenario, was to prepare personnel for likely deployments to overseas missions, the spokeswoman said.
The army would hold an open day at Ranfurly's rugby grounds on Saturday, May 22 as a thank you to the area.
