Defence Force

The Labour Party isn't buying assurances from the Prime Minister, that New Zealand's presence at the meeting of senior international military commanders is business as usual. Audio

And while Defence and John Key say the meeting is nothing out of the ordinary our Washington correspondent Simon Marks says that is certainly not the way the White House is describing it. Audio

The Prime Minister is downplaying New Zealand's presence at a high level defence meeting in Washington on defeating Islamic State saying this country is still not part of a US-led military coalition. Audio

A meeting is under way in Washington DC of military leaders from 22 countries - including New Zealand - to thrash out a strategy to counter the advance of Islamic state militants. Anthony Cordesman is… Audio

New Zealand will have a presence at a meeting this morning of military commanders in Washington DC which is is looking at ways to halt the advance of the Islamic State. Audio

As ISIS pushes on with its offensive across eastern Iraq, the Prime Minister, John Key, is still not sure whether New Zealand will send troops to join the fight against Islamic State in Syria and… Audio

A panel discussion about the poetry of the First World War involving Harry Ricketts, Kate Camp, Jane Stafford and Dave Armstrong. The conversation includes generous readings from war poets famous and… Audio

This week on Afternoons we were discussing how in 1990 the New Zealand Navy put an end to the tradition of serving sailors a daily tot of rum. Now, they've announced much more wide-ranging… Audio

Tomorrow marks the official change of the Commanding Officer for the Royal New Zealand Navy base, HMNZS PHILOMEL. Captain Corina Bruce was appointed as the first female Commanding Officer of the… Audio

Members of New Zealand's Muslim community say sending SAS troops to fight the Islamic State in Iraq would be a mistake and may end up radicalising Muslims. Audio

Australia's consideration of its involvement in fighting Islamic State militants in Iraq, has raised questions about what New Zealand would do, should this country be approached by a US led coalition… Audio

The United States and its allies appear to be steeling themselves for what one American defense official is now describing as a "years-long" fight against the Islamic State. Audio

'Brass banding is a great relaxation,' says Bill Rimmer, a Soprano Cornet player with The Band of the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery, 'We all come from different walks of life…and we're all… Audio

The inaugural Invictus Games have begun in London. The event has been put together by a team led by Prince Harry, and celebrates what he calls the fighting spirit of the wounded, injured and sick… Audio

Why did New Zealand troops serve in Afghanistan? How much do we know about this war? An award winning documentary is now being taught as part of the NCEA curriculum within secondary schools across our… Audio

Leonard Leary describes joining up and going to Samoa, CAL Treadwell on the keenness of the officer training units. Sidney Jones on embarking for Samoa. Extracts from contemporary newspapers. Audio

Military historian Christopher Pugsley talks with John McCrystal about his career, the business of writing about the First World War, and it contemporary resonances. Audio

The eminent historian Professor Margaret MacMillan explores the origins of the First World War, and the contemporary parallels to what happened a century ago. With Kate Hunter in the chair, this… Audio

Kate Newton explores whether NZ will need the same sort of Defence Force in the future. Audio

Defence commentators say a lack of peace-keeping commitments could undermine New Zealand's bid for a United Nations Security Council seat. Audio