America's top regional naval commander has discussed history-making plans for a US ship visit with Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee.

Speaking at a reception in Auckland tonight hosted by Murray McCully, US Vice President Joe Biden touched on the special relationship the US and NZ have.

The Government is to buy a $493 million naval tanker which will be custom-made for use in the Antarctic.

Prime Minister John Key has arrived in Indonesia at a time of heightened tensions over the neighbouring South China Sea.

Prime Minister John Key was joined by rugby royalty at a private dinner in Paris this morning (NZ time).

A deployment of New Zealand military trainers will stay in Afghanistan until June 2018 and their number will be increased from eight to 10.

Nearly $60,000 was spent rescuing 38 people stranded after their 4WD vehicles became trapped in snow in Central Otago.

Dredging of shipping canal leads to explosive discovery.

Just when you thought you couldn't be any more dismayed by America's gun crisis, comes this depressing nugget of information.

The 16-strong New Zealand Defence Force team is joining forces with around 2000 personnel from the Five Eyes partner nations.

Charlie Petera fought during World War II in North Africa and Italy between 1941 and 1945.

Prime Minister John Key says he remains confident New Zealand troops based at Taji are as safe as they can be despite a car bomb outside the military compound yesterday.

An explosion has occurred within two to three kilometres of Camp Taji in northern Baghdad where 106 NZ Defence Force personnel are currently deployed.

NZ's military will be able to go after illegal fishing vessels and launch its own cyber attacks as a result of a $20b increase in funding - Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee.

NZ Defence Force upgrade includes a scaling-up of operations in the Southern Ocean and Antarctica and a greater focus on defending against cyber attacks.

New Zealand peacekeeping troops based in Sinai have been moved to a safer base and the mission is under frequent review because of security concerns about terrorist groups.

China is "highly likely" to send a ship to upcoming Navy celebrations, as a decision on whether the United States attends draws closer.

COMMENT: Inadequate court sentences don't deter people, writes Barry Soper. Perhaps court martials are the answer.

Explosions rang out as the New Zealand Defence Force's new $46 million battle training facility was opened in Auckland this morning.

The US will narrowly define the use of artificial intelligence. Will its enemies?

British troops have been testing material so advanced it hides soldiers from infra-red and heat-seeking devices.

The New Zealand Defence Force said that the unnamed soldier was a national liaison officer at coalition headquarters in Jordan.

COMMENT: To increase military budgets as a justification to stir the pot in this region which needs to be demilitarised is questionable.

Australia's armed forces will be boosted by new submarines and aircraft but the NZ Government won't confirm if more money is on the way for the military here.

The New Zealand Army Band will perform at the Queen's 90th birthday party - at the request of the monarch herself.