Prime Minister John Key says New Zealand's likely military contribution to the fight against Islamic State "is the price of the club" that New Zealand belongs to.

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.

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.

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.

The Defence Force has paid out half a million dollars to other claimants during the 16 years that two badly injured brothers have been fighting for compensation.

Cuts to Defence Force spending could be delayed by up to two years, Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says.

Details of a Defence Force inquiry into fatal attacks in Afghanistan have been released this afternoon, along with footage of one of the incidents.

The Defence Force will today present the findings of a Court of Inquiry into two incidents which resulted in the deaths of five New Zealand soldiers in Afghanistan last year.

Two brothers who suffered horrific injuries in army training accidents could be nearing the end of their long battle for compensation. (WARNING: Graphic image)