The family of Private Michael Ross say they are relieved the soldier's body has been found, a week after he fell into a lake near Waiouru.

Private Michael Victor Ross, 29, from Kaitaia, has not been seen since he fell overboard from an inflatable boat while returning from a training exercise in a lake.

Hopes are fading that a soldier missing in a lake near Waiouru will be found alive, Inspector Steve Mastrovich says.

A New Zealand man who flew back from Australia voluntarily to face charges of stealing more than 800 medals from Waiouru Army Museum over a seven-year period in a "devastating theft" made a brief appearance in court today.

Big deals in the past six months are generating confidence, say brokers

The central North Island has been shaken by an earthquake this morning.

An army major who collapsed and died during a rehearsal for an official ceremony at Trentham will be buried today with full military honours.

The two teens accused of a brutal machete attack on a police officer are to be charged with attempted murder.

A police officer injured in a brutal machete attack needs more hospital treatment for his facial and head injuries.

Police officer Bruce Mellor, who was viciously attacked with a machete at the weekend, is steadily improving.

The country's top military leader has publicly apologised to the family of an airman killed when an old artillery round unexpectedly exploded.

One of the thieves who stole the Waiouru war medals was on bail after using stolen priceless artefacts as bargaining chips to get out of jail.

Despite more than 420 convictions between them, the Waiouru medals' theft was something of a career highlight for Ronald Van Wakeren and James Kapa.

The convicted Waiouru medals thief sentenced to six years in prison today has links to Joseph Reekers, the killer of hairdresser Marie Jamieson.

The second professional burglar who stole the Waiouru medals has been given a six year jail term for the brazen heist.

TV3 presenter John Campbell. The War Medals case has raised questions about police attempts to force journalists to reveal confidential sources.