Latest from New Zealand Defence Force

Aerial footage from NZDF shows scale of Chatham Islands bushfire

Aerial photographs taken by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) show the scale and spread of a bushfire that is threatening nature reserves in the Chatham Islands.

NZ Airforce launches a P-3K2 Orion to search for the missing catamaran

A New Zealand AirForce P-3K2 Orion has left Auckland Base this morning to join the search for a 17m wooden catamaran with more than 50 people on board, reported missing in the Pacific Ocean. Source - Twitter/NewZealandDefenceForce

Engine fault stops search for fishermen

A Royal NZ Air Force Orion has lost power in one engine but has landed safely.

Watch: Tree felling with explosives NZDF

The New Zealand Defence Force making way for a helicopter site in a forest. Amazing footage of using explosives in tree felling. Credit : NZDF

Bring dead soldiers home, veteran says

Veteran Robert Davies says the failure to repatriate soldiers from non-commonwealth war cemeteries in Malaysia is a "a blight on the honour of this country".

Festive cheer far from home

While deployed overseas, New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel do their best to celebrate Christmas without their families and friends back home.

War-time rugby trophy goes AWOL

The New Zealand Defence Force is searching for a famous rugby trophy won by a team of New Zealand soldiers almost 100 years ago.

Wages of NZ troops not tax-exempt

The government is taxing the salaries of Kiwi troops deployed to Taji to help train Iraqi soldiers.

Terrorists renamed as Daesh

Kiwi armed forces are following the lead of the British, French and Americans by referring to the barbaric terrorist group as "Daesh" - an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.