Defence Force
Tough defence decisions loom for new government
The coalition government will have to make some tough calls on defence spending this term to help the force address staff shortages and ageing infrastructure.
Australia to create navy nuclear safety watchdog for AUKUS
Australia will spend NZ$598.6m to create a naval nuclear power safety regulator as part of the AUKUS programme, a government economic update shows.
Defence Minister claims Labour government had 'anti-American stance'
Defence Minister Judith Collins has described the previous Labour government as somewhat anti-American, but is refusing to explain why she holds that view.
NZ Navy to get renewable-powered uncrewed vessel
A renewable-powered uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) named Bluebottle is on its way to the Royal New Zealand Navy.
Currently in Sydney, the 6.8 metre vessel will be trialled for use in various… Audio
Armed Defenders Squad praises police tactical units during Mosque attacks
An Armed Offenders Squad commander says the response of police tactical units to the Christchurch mosque attacks was unprecedented, and outstanding.
The inquest into the 2019 terror attacks that… Audio
Alcohol abuse in Defence Force mars NZ's image, says health body
Heavy drinking displayed by Defence Force staff deployed in Egypt is an embarrassment to the country, says Alcohol Healthwatch director Andrew Galloway.
Ceremony bestows 78 sets of medals to descendants of 28th Māori Battalion
A total of 78 sets of medals have been given out in an emotional ceremony, in recognition of members of the legendary 28th Māori Battalion, and presented to their descendants at Waitangi.
Disappearing dotterel nests: Defence Force implicated
Banded dotterel nests in the Waimakariri River have disappeared after Defence Force vehicles were seen doing driver training in the area.
WWII Air Force pilot celebrates 100th birthday
John Beeching is one of the last surviving veterans of RAF Bomber Command in WWII, and he celebrates his 100th birthday today. He had an early morning visit from the Nelson Mayor, been to work for a… Audio, Gallery
New museum to honour NZ soldiers opened in France
Dignitaries have gathered in a small town in France for the opening of a new museum to honour New Zealand soldiers who died in Europe during the first World War.
Le Quesnoy was liberated by New… Audio
Israel military drafts 300,000 reservists in response to Hamas attacks
Israel's military has drafted a record 300,000 reservists in its response to a multi-front Hamas attack from Gaza and says it is "going on the offensive".
Benjy Treister is a New Zealander whose… Audio
Israeli Defence Force on strong offensive after attacks
Israel says it has regained control of all its territories near Gaza following a multi-front attack from Hamas militants over the weekend.
The Israeli Defence Force has gone on a strong offensive -… Audio
Labour commits to fair pay for defence force if re-elected
The Labour Party is committing to fair pay for defence force personnel, if re-elected.
Currently, military personnel do not have the same rights to negotiate their pay and conditions as other… Audio
Crew lands in Antarctica after three attempts
Third time's the charm for Antarctic researchers trying to reach the continent this week.
The 43-person crew landed safely in New Zealand's Antarctic research station, Scott Base, on Wednesday -… Audio
The Week in Detail: From illegal fishing to the Rugby World Cup
The Detail podcast brings you the issues behind the news every weekday. Here's what we covered this week. Audio
New Poseidons zoom in on illegal fishers
New Zealand's new Poseidon P-8A has clocked its first official mission: a multi-national operation north-west of Fiji to catch illegal fishing boats. Audio
'The sea was like a washing machine' - Navy personnel recognised for brave rescue
Four Royal Navy personnel will be recognised for their bravery and skills by the defence force for rescuing a yachtsman during Cyclone Gabrielle.
Barrie Rice: We Were Blackwater
The aftermath of the 2003 Iraq invasion is told by former New Zealand SAS soldier Barrie Rice in his book We Were Blackwater - Life, death and madness in the killing fields of Iraq. Audio
Former NZ soldier hit by shrapnel while fighting in Ukraine
A former New Zealand soldier fighting in Ukraine is facing months of rehab after being hit five times by shrapnel and bullets while fighting in the Donestk Oblast region.
The former Defence Force… Audio
'Number 8 wire' days for NZ's defence force are over
Opinion - New Zealanders have been put on notice that defence and security are among the bigger challenges the country faces this century, John Moremon writes.
