A former Defence Minister has given evidence in the Government inquiry into the New Zealand SAS raid in Afghanistan in 2010 known as Operation Burnham.
The first public hearing into Operation Burnham got underway in Wellington today, investigating whether the New Zealand's Defence Force covered up the SAS operation in Afghanistan.
In Nicky Hager and Jon Stephenson's book Hit & Run it's alleged six civilians including a three-year-old girl were killed in the raid.
Dr Wayne Mapp, who was Defence Minister from 2008 to 2011, told the inquiry he did not "approve or select missions for the SAS", but he was briefed on Operation Burnham before it was undertaken.
"It was a coincidence that both myself and the Chief of Defence Force were in Afghanistan when Operation Burnham was carried out."
Today was the first of three public hearings, which outlined how New Zealand ended up in the Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, protesters outside the hearing criticised the fact most of the inquiry will be held in secret, demanding open justice for the alleged victims.
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