Latest fromNew Zealand Defence Force

'Finally have him home’: Family farewell soldier who fell in Ukraine
Dominic Abelen was laid to rest near Christchurch, two years after his death in Ukraine.

PM Luxon defends NZDF job cuts plan as India visit ends
The Government is about to release its 15-year plan for NZ's defence spending.

New Zealand out of recession and Napier Health's overnight care continues | NZ Herald News Update
New Zealand is now out of recession and Napier Health's in-person overnight care will continue following backlash over proposed cuts. Video / NZ Herald, Getty

‘He was holding off the Russians’: Heroic final deeds of NZ soldier killed in Ukraine revealed
Dominic Abelen, killed in 2022, will finally be laid to rest in Christchurch tomorrow.

Three veteran suicides in three weeks but no way to track how common it is
A veteran group plan to crowd-source suicide data to build database the Government didn't.

Watch: Body of NZ soldier killed fighting Russians finally coming home
The 30-year-old was killed in action during a firefight in July 2022.

Watch: NZ Air Force test-fire cruise missile from a Seasprite helicopter in world first
The air-to-surface missile test from a Seasprite helicopter was a first.

Missile launch a fort for NZ Defence Force
A Penguin missile was fired for he first time from a Seasprite helicopter recently in a world first for New Zealand. Video / NZ Defence Force

Why military vehicles were seen on Wellington's waterfront
A line of self-propelled howitzers was photographed at the port.

'Hard to understand': NZDF delay alerting Australia to China drill under fire
Senators told aviation communication channels 'more direct' than military ones.

‘Unusual’ presence: Chinese Navy exercise disrupts transtasman flights
The Chinese Navy ships are now 218 nautical miles east of Tasmania.

NZ Defence Spending, German Election & Pope’s Health | NZ Herald News Update
China fires live rounds near NZ, Germany’s snap election results, Pope Francis’ health, and Destiny Church news.

Behaviour ‘consistent with live fire’: NZ Navy shadowing Chinese warships
Defence Minister Judith Collins criticised China for not informing NZ about the warships.

Touchdown: Crowds flock as legendary Air Force Hercules lands for final time
One of the last RNZAF C-130H Hercules touched down at its final resting place today.

Cops take suspected explosive into police station – then call NZSAS bomb experts for help
Police arrested a man found with two guns, then had a surprise once back at the station.

Goodbye Herk – RNZAF farewells the Hercules
Air Force retires the C-130H Hercules transport aircraft after 60 years in the air.

Rotorua student named top recruit in NZ Army Reserve training
Leo Schweizer enlisted while on holidays from Otago University.

Snow survival: Former Hamilton soldier in Mt Ruapehu tragedy heading to Invictus Games
"It was meant to be adventure training and it turned into snow survival."

NZ Defence Force admits cost-cutting could affect 'fitness to deploy'
The New Zealand Defence force has a budget shortfall of $130 million.

RSA rebel group threatens to quit national body
'Slow death' solution to RSA woes threatens to split the veterans' body.

More sampling after high hydrocarbon levels found around HMNZS Manawanui wreck site
The Samoan Government has implemented a precautionary zone.