The New Zealand Defence Force has confirmed the three were part of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamyan province.
It says the three men were in the last vehicle of a convoy that was hit by an an improvised explosive device, northwest of Do Abe where the other two soldiers died two weeks ago.
The Taliban has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack..
Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Rhys Jones says he is deeply saddened by this loss.
"On behalf of the entire New Zealand Defence Force, I extend my deepest sympathies to the families, colleagues and friends of the personnel involved," he said.
Prime Minister John Key has paid tribute to the soldiers and says today's events underscore the gravity of the situation New Zealand's soldiers face daily in Afghanistan.
"The three brave soldiers paid the ultimate price for their selfless work and my thoughts are with their families and friends as they mourn their loved ones," he said.
Mr Key has previously ruled out bringing forward the scheduled withdrawal of New Zealand troops from Afghanistan next year.
Five New Zealand soldiers have died in Afghanistan in two weeks.
Earlier this month, two New Zealand soldiers were killed and six wounded in an insurgent attack blamed on a small band of hardcore militants said to have infiltrated the province to undermine security, targeting foreign and Afghan security forces.
Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae says the latest incident is a 'great tragedy', coming so soon after those deaths.
"The soldiers were part of New Zealand's Provincial Reconstruction Team, which for many years has worked tirelessly to bring peace and security to the lives of the people of Bamyan province," he said.
"Their service has brought great credit to New Zealand and the New Zealand Defence Force."
New Zealand has now lost 10 soldiers in Afghanistan.
from au.news.yahoo.com
Updated August 20, 2012, 6:39 am
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