The SIS, the country's domestic spying agency, looks set to gain greater powers in a quickfire overhaul of terrorism laws despite the PM's assertion there's a "low risk" to NZ.

The Prime Minister wants New Zealand to do what it can to help Western powers deal with the so-called Islamic State that has taken over a swathe of Iraq and Syria.

The argument that if we don't join the American crusade to wipe out Muslim fanatics in Iraq and Syria, they'll swoop down to Godzone and behead us all is a rerun of the old Vietnam War domino theory....

New Zealand faces more security risks and has more of its people looking to fight overseas for militant groups than most people realise, Prime Minister John Key said yesterday as he signalled law....

Police officers killed in the line of duty were remembered today, but one officer who died from injuries he suffered during an arrest never made it to the Roll of Honour.

A former air force sergeant and several former volunteer firefighters are among 78 new police constables about to hit the beat.

Kiwi soldiers were confronted with a "chaotic scene" when they rushed to rescue survivors of a plane crash in Papua New Guinea, the Defence Force says.

The Four Nations Maritime Rugby Cup kicked off when the Royal New Zealand Navy took on the United States Marine Corps at the Devonport Naval Base yesterday.

A former high-ranking Auckland police officer investigated for allegedly harassing a prostitute before quitting the force has started his own private investigation company.

A re-elected National Government would keep all current military bases open and operational, Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says.

The HMNZS Canterbury returns to Auckland after 3 months overseas service in the Pacific.

First he was decorated for valour after carrying a critically wounded comrade to safety through enemy fire in Afghanistan.

Foreign submarines are reported to be secretly entering New Zealand waters, a defence analyst says.

The son of a WWII prisoner of war and hero of the Battle of Crete who admitted stealing nearly $90,000 from his dead father's veterans' pension will only have to repay $4500.

New Zealand troops are honing their warfighting skills alongside Australian and United States personnel in Australia, the Defence Force says.

A soldier faced disciplinary action after he set off a Claymore mine in a live firing exercise in Afghanistan, injuring himself and another soldier.

When an armour-piercing bullet hit Private Dion Taka, he rolled underneath his Humvee and wondered if he would die.

Survivor of the Anzac Day helicopter crash Sergeant Stevin Creeggan has endured years of pain and humiliating treatment from the Air Force, but his family are speaking out.

Air force commanders allowed a dangerous and deadly culture of rule-breaking that ultimately resulted in the deaths of three young airmen, a court has found.

The future of New Zealand peacekeeping is under increasing scrutiny as it bids for a seat on the United Nations Security Council.

The Defence Force has apologised after staff damaged rooms at a hotel in Niue and says the matter is under investigation by military police.

A Kiwi sniper fighting in Afghanistan was killed by friendly fire after a US fighter pilot failed to enter attack co-ordinates into his onboard computer, an inquest has heard.