Chief Petty Officer Steve Clarke received the best Christmas gift ever yesterday: Watching his children unwrap their presents.

When his father was diagnosed with terminal cancer this week, Squadron Leader Steve Hall was determined to make it home from Afghanistan.

Dr Marc Shaw, serving in Afghanistan, writes about his experience of a Christmas far from home.

Labour and National governments have unsuccessfully tried to get Japan to join us in Bamyan province, documents show.

US intelligence agencies have given a pessimistic account of military progress in Afghanistan.

The mother of a NZ soldier shot in Afghanistan told an emotional press conference today that if her son "wanted something, he did it", describing John Howard as a man "never prepared to accept less than the best."

The death of a New Zealander serving in the British Army in Afghanistan is "very sad", Prime Minister John Key says. The soldier is understood to be John "Jack" Howard.

The New Zealand soldier killed in Afghanistan while serving with the British Army is understood to be John "Jack" Howard. Private Howard had been patrolling in the Nad 'Ali district of Helmand province when he was shot.

Staff at the US Embassy in Kabul are concerned about unauthorised releases of prisoners which have been happening.

Prime Minister John Key and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton may discuss New Zealand's involvement in Afghanistan.

Russia has agreed to return to the war in Afghanistan.

This book is the sort of journey it's great to read about from the comfort of your armchair.