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

The Defence Force has apologised after staff damaged rooms at a hotel in Niue and says the matter is under investigation by military police.

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.

NZ is the only non-European country to make the top 10 of the 'Good Country Index' which measures 125 countries on how they give to the world's 'greater good'.

Two inquiries have begun into the award of an $80,000 military contract after the Defence Minister was told the private company doing the work was owned and run by serving personnel.

The New Zealand Defence Force conducted High Explosive Aerial training for a media contingent today, dropping a Mark 82 general purpose high explosive bomb from an P-3K2 Orion at their Kaipara Bombing Range.

Former corporal Willie Apiata, holder of the Victoria Cross, admits he still finds it hard to think of himself as a hero and is quick to bump off the title to someone else he thinks is worthy of it - his mother.

Nicolas Sarkozy thought it was a neat idea: sell Russia two advanced warships and open up a lucrative market for France's troubled armaments industry.

Two army recruits who braved a drunk and aggressive crowd to help a man king-hit at an Auckland bar have been recognised for their "selfless act of bravery".

Editorial: Few eyebrows were raised when the army seized power in Thailand last week. This was, after all, the 12th military coup since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932.

The Chinese government is pushing domestic banks to remove high-end servers made by IBM in an escalation of the dispute with the US over spying claims.

It was only a year ago that he gave up his wings as a Royal Air Force rescue pilot, but it appears the lure of the skies may be just too tempting for Prince William to resist.

Thailand's new army junta ordered dozens of outspoken activists, academics and journalists to surrender themselves to military authorities.

A man has died at Burnham army base near Christchurch.

A British helicopter has crashed in Afghanistan, killing all five people on board, the UK Ministry of Defence announced.

Rare pictures of Kim Jong-un as a boy have been shown during a televised concert for the air force in North Korea.

Some of the most fearless warriors in military history have been taking part in a biennial exercise with the NZ Army in the South Island.

The sister of a murdered south Auckland man knew she had to face her brother's killer to see what his features revealed.

Two top military officers will be among volunteers collecting donations from the public for today's Poppy Day appeal.

A North Korean official has been executed with a flame-thrower, South Korean media has reported.

Air Commodore Mike Yardley will be the new Chief of Air Force, when Air Vice-Marshal Peter Stockwell leaves the Defence Force next month after a distinguished 41-year career.

A eulogy in support of a shamed detective was enough to make a senior police officer unfit for the job of commissioner, according to 31 per cent of Herald-DigiPoll respondents.

With two grandfathers gassed in the trenches of the Great War, and a father who battled Nazis at El Alamein, Rick Ottaway never consciously made a career choice.