Defence Force
NZ soldiers to stay in Iraq for at least another year
New Zealand is being urged to pressure Iraq into political reform in return for training its government security forces, to help ensure the victory Iraq has declared against Islamic State will hold… Audio
Communities could sue Defence Force over toxic firefighting foam
The Government is investigating potential contamination near the Defence Force bases at Woodbourne and Ohakea. Meanwhile, in Australia, a community is sueing the Defence Force over similar… Audio
NZDF kept quiet on contamination for months
The Defence Force has known for months that toxic chemicals could have contaminated local water supplies near two of its air bases, but the people living nearby are only just being told. Residents… Audio
Defence Force knew of possible contamination for months
The Defence Force has known for months that toxic chemicals could have contaminated local water supplies near two of its air bases.
One month without tap water around airbases
People living near Ohakea and Woodbourne defence bases are being told not to drink their tap water for at least a month while the supply is tested for contamination.
Environment Ministry warns of potential water contamination
People living near Ohakea and Woodbourne defence bases are being told not to drink their tap water for at least a month while it's tested for contamination. Audio
Govt accuses National of leaving $20bn hole
The government says $20 billion of planned Defence Force spending has not specifically been included in future budgets.
On any other day
An emergency signal sparks a desperate search for a missing air force helicopter. Produced by Justin Gregory. Audio
Soldier dismissed from army after nude photo threat
A soldier who threatened to share nude photos of a woman unless she introduced him to her parents has been dismissed from the army at his court martial.
Zimbabweans in NZ react to Mugabe arrest
There's been gunfire and tanks in the capital Harare, where the military has intervened in the power struggle to succeed President, Robert Mugabe, who's led Zimbabwe for 37 years and, at 93, is the… Audio
NZ Air Force joins search for missing Kiribati fishermen
The New Zealand Air Force has joined a search for three missing Kiribati fishermen who have been missing in the Pacific Ocean for more than five days.
Fast-tracked visas for foreign cops to boost NZ police numbers
Fast-tracking visas for foreign police officers to expand the force is being considered by the new government. It's promised to boost the number of women and men in blue by 1,800 over the next three… Audio
Cast of thousands in South Island defence exercise
More than 3000 defence personnel from 12 countries are taking part in New Zealand's largest military exercise throughout the upper South Island.
High Court appeal after 'secret agent' who stole sensitive equipment walked
The Crown is appealing a decision to allow a former military spy, who stole sensitive operational equipment, to walk away from court without conviction. Video, Audio
ERA chides Defence over refusal to bargain pay
The Defence Force has been dealt a stinging rebuke for refusing to bargain over pay with unionised civilian workers.
NZDF slammed over pay negotiation dispute
The Employment Relations Authority has delivered a stinging rebuke to the Defence Force for its refusal to bargain over pay with unionised civilian workers. The decision follows months of tense… Audio
NZ soldier who died during training named
The soldier who died this morning during a counter-terrorism training exercise was Sergeant Wayne Taylor. Audio
'It's impossible to remove all the risk' - Defence Minister
Defence Minister Mark Mitchell joins Checkpoint live to respond to the death of soldier Wayne Taylor. He says while the force does all it can to remove risks from training exercises, it can't… Video, Audio
Special Operations Officer dies in training exercise off Coromandel
Soldier Wayne Taylor died after falling during a training exercise off the Coromandel coast this morning. He was a father of four who served in Afghanistan and East Timor. Video, Audio
Sad history of Defence Force homeland deaths
There have been a number of homeland deaths among defence force personnel in recent years.
