The deployment of 106 Defence Force personnel to a military base in Iraq will include just 16 trainers, the New Zealand Defence Force chief confirmed yesterday.

Replacing ageing military equipment is often fearsomely expensive.

Prime Minister John Key says New Zealand is not considering an Iraq deployment to “wave its flag” or please its American allies, but to play an important role in forcing back the “reprehensible” Islamic State.

Iraq has issued a general invitation to the international community for support, the country's foreign minister says.

Labour's leadership contest roadshow carried less of a punch to the taxpayer's wallet than the last runoff in 2013, according to newly released list of MPs' expenses.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force P3 Orion aircraft which has been supporting counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Arabia has had its mission extended for another year.

The armed forces look set to increasingly rely on drones to defend New Zealand.

For generations that have not known war, our stories from exactly a century ago are an insight into what it would be like.

The parents of a soldier who died after suffering head injuries during a game of rugby league at Linton Military Camp say he died playing a game he loved.

New Zealand troops are honing their warfighting skills alongside Australian and United States personnel in Australia, the Defence Force says.

The Kim Dotcom wrecking ball keeps swinging and this time former Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman is in its path, writes David Fisher.

Jonathan Coleman knew the FBI was interested in Kim Dotcom before his officials granted the tycoon residency - a revelation which has led to accusations he misled the public.

Army bosses say it's "unlikely" that 9,000 assault rifles, hated by Kiwi soldiers for being under-powered and unreliable, will be sold to other militaries.

The right mix of weather conditions carried the effects of 500lb bomb explosions from north of Auckland, shaking homes and rattling eardrums in Devonport, 70km away.

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.

Two brothers seriously injured in botched Defence Force exercises believe New Zealand's service personnel are being hung out to dry by the country's law makers.

An SAS soldier has been fined $4700 at a court martial in Auckland this afternoon for stealing service property, but can remain in the Army.

A staff sergeant in the SAS has told a court martial about how surplus United States military equipment, including a truck, was used by New Zealand armed forces in Afghanistan.

One of the charges against a SAS soldier facing a court martial has been withdrawn this morning.

A SAS soldier accused of stealing service property didn't know the gun accessories were owned by the Army, his defence lawyer told a court martial today.

Major-General Tim Keating has been named the new Chief of Defence Force.

The replacement fleet of tactical air force helicopters is almost three years behind schedule - forcing its European manufacturer to compensate the New Zealand Government for the delay.