Latest FromDefence
![Soldier's funeral: 'Jack, you lived your dream'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Soldier's funeral: 'Jack, you lived your dream'
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.
![WikiLeaks: Wellington pushed hard for Japan to help in Afghanistan](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
WikiLeaks: Wellington pushed hard for Japan to help in Afghanistan
Labour and National governments have unsuccessfully tried to get Japan to join us in Bamyan province, documents show.
![Goff disputes anti-nuke law claims](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Goff disputes anti-nuke law claims
Labour leader Phil Goff has hit back at claims made in a diplomatic cable between Wellington and Washington that NZ's anti-nuclear legislation was influenced by wanting to cut defence costs as well as by ideology.
![Anti-nuke law 'linked to cost cuts'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Anti-nuke law 'linked to cost cuts'
New Zealand's anti-nuclear legislation was influenced by wanting to cut defence costs as well as by ideology, a WikiLeaks-released cable between Wellington and Washington claims.
![Afghanistan going poorly for US - report](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Afghanistan going poorly for US - report
US intelligence agencies have given a pessimistic account of military progress in Afghanistan.
![Wayne Mapp to leave Parliament](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Wayne Mapp to leave Parliament
Defence Minister Wayne Mapp has announced his intention to stand down at the next election.
![Key defends secrecy around closer US ties](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Key defends secrecy around closer US ties
The resumption of full intelligence sharing with the US was not made public as the Govt does not comment on national security, John Key says.
![Labour, National agreed to US secrecy demands, cables show](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Labour, National agreed to US secrecy demands, cables show
No diplomatic cables have been released so far which would be as embarrassing for NZ as for Australia.
![Calls for Govt to step in to keep poppies on shore](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Calls for Govt to step in to keep poppies on shore
The Government is being asked to step in and make sure ANZAC Day poppies stay New Zealand-made.
![Anzac Day poppies to be made offshore](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Anzac Day poppies to be made offshore
Anzac Day Poppies will be made offshore, New Zealand's Returned Service Association has announced.
![HMNZS Otago in trouble again](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
HMNZS Otago in trouble again
The Navy's newest ship, the fault-prone HMNZS Otago, is once again being forced to return to port.
![Shot soldier 'his own man' - mother](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Shot soldier 'his own man' - mother
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."
![PM: Kiwi soldier's death 'very sad'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
PM: Kiwi soldier's death 'very sad'
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.
![Kiwi killed in Afghanistan identified](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Kiwi killed in Afghanistan identified
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.
![NZ troops had to help ineffective colleagues - WikiLeaks cable](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
NZ troops had to help ineffective colleagues - WikiLeaks cable
NZ troops were forced to step in for ineffective Hungarian troops in a neighbouring Afghanistan province, a leaked diplomatic cable says.