Aucklanders can be confident the measures Sydney has in place to deal with hostage or terrorism emergencies would be available here - but on a smaller scale, a senior police source says.

Kiwi troops sent to Iraq need a clear objective and a way out within two years, says a military academic and former army officer who has served in the country.

We all know John Key is susceptible to brain fade when it comes to historic events, writes Brian Rudman. But to forget what happened at Gallipoli 99 years ago does suggest he should really start upping his ginseng and cod-liver oil intake.

The beating of the patriotic drum resonates in the proposal to send an Anzac force of trainers and troops to Iraq.

SIS director Rebecca Kitteridge helped John Key cover his butt in the leadup to the 2014 election, just like her predecessor did in 2011, writes Dita De Boni.

NZ’s spy watchdog Cheryl Gwyn is to investigate Labour MP Phil Goff’s acknowledgement he disclosed findings from her SIS report before its release.

The Opposition says the PM John Key is "in denial" over a report which backs allegations his staff used information from the SIS for a smear campaign.

For all of his professional life, Robert O'Neill lived in the shadows.

When faced with an "angry" man wielding a shotgun outside a hospital emergency department, West Auckland Constables Nick Frederick and Mike Nolan didn't hesitate to put their own lives on....

The Prime Minister wants New Zealand to do what it can to help Western powers deal with the so-called Islamic State that has taken over a swathe of Iraq and Syria.

The argument that if we don't join the American crusade to wipe out Muslim fanatics in Iraq and Syria, they'll swoop down to Godzone and behead us all is a rerun of the old Vietnam War domino theory....

New Zealand faces more security risks and has more of its people looking to fight overseas for militant groups than most people realise, Prime Minister John Key said yesterday as he signalled law....

Police officers killed in the line of duty were remembered today, but one officer who died from injuries he suffered during an arrest never made it to the Roll of Honour.

Constable Murray Stretch was relaxing at home on the couch watching rugby league in front of the fire when he got the call that led to his death.

Scottish soldiers based in England will not be able to take part in the historic referendum on independence.

A re-elected National Government would keep all current military bases open and operational, Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says.

First he was decorated for valour after carrying a critically wounded comrade to safety through enemy fire in Afghanistan.

A secret, failed mission by the United States military to rescue American hostages, including the murdered journalist James Foley, has been described in full to the Daily Telegraph.

Prince Harry has recalled the "horrendous" images he saw during two tours of Afghanistan.

A young soldier killed in a firefight with Hamas gunmen in the southern Gaza Strip was born in New Zealand.

When an armour-piercing bullet hit Private Dion Taka, he rolled underneath his Humvee and wondered if he would die.

The future of New Zealand peacekeeping is under increasing scrutiny as it bids for a seat on the United Nations Security Council.

A Kiwi sniper fighting in Afghanistan was killed by friendly fire after a US fighter pilot failed to enter attack co-ordinates into his onboard computer, an inquest has heard.