War medal collectors are combing death notices to harass families of late veterans for their medals.

Major General Lou Gardiner, the Chief of Army for three years until he retired last year after 39 years service, said he would back what the SAS troops said over anyone else.

The Defence Force insists that New Zealand SAS troops in Afghanistan involved in a fatal shootout were fired upon first.

The NZ Defence Force says SAS soldiers were acting in self defence when they led a raid on a factory in Afghanistan in which two soldiers were killed.

New Zealand soldiers have been accused of being involved in a botched raid on a factory in Afghanistan which left two workers dead.

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.

Former PM Helen Clark says concerns by the US Embassy over the screening of Michael Moore's film Fahrenheit 9/11 for a Labour Party fundraising event showed "outright bullying" and "unprofessional" conduct by officials.

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

A major scandal threatens to engulf the Royal Australian Navy.

The body of New Zealander Private Jack Howard was carried into St Paul's Cathedral in Wellington today by his British Army comrades and farewelled after the funeral by a three-volley salute from NZ soldiers he served with.