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

The Kim Dotcom wrecking ball keeps swinging and this time former Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman is in its path, writes David Fisher.

Jonathan Coleman knew the FBI was interested in Kim Dotcom before his officials granted the tycoon residency - a revelation which has led to accusations he misled the public.

Army bosses say it's "unlikely" that 9,000 assault rifles, hated by Kiwi soldiers for being under-powered and unreliable, will be sold to other militaries.

The right mix of weather conditions carried the effects of 500lb bomb explosions from north of Auckland, shaking homes and rattling eardrums in Devonport, 70km away.

Air Commodore Mike Yardley will be the new Chief of Air Force, when Air Vice-Marshal Peter Stockwell leaves the Defence Force next month after a distinguished 41-year career.

A staff sergeant in the SAS has told a court martial about how surplus United States military equipment, including a truck, was used by New Zealand armed forces in Afghanistan.

One of the charges against a SAS soldier facing a court martial has been withdrawn this morning.

A SAS soldier accused of stealing service property didn't know the gun accessories were owned by the Army, his defence lawyer told a court martial today.

Major-General Tim Keating has been named the new Chief of Defence Force.

The replacement fleet of tactical air force helicopters is almost three years behind schedule - forcing its European manufacturer to compensate the New Zealand Government for the delay.

The Defence Force has paid out half a million dollars to other claimants during the 16 years that two badly injured brothers have been fighting for compensation.

Cuts to Defence Force spending could be delayed by up to two years, Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says.

Details of a Defence Force inquiry into fatal attacks in Afghanistan have been released this afternoon, along with footage of one of the incidents.

The Defence Force will today present the findings of a Court of Inquiry into two incidents which resulted in the deaths of five New Zealand soldiers in Afghanistan last year.

Two brothers who suffered horrific injuries in army training accidents could be nearing the end of their long battle for compensation. (WARNING: Graphic image)

New Zealand's Governor-General Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae and Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman were among a group of dignitaries who met Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul.

A New Zealand Army officer charged with beating a fellow soldier has appeared before a court martial this morning at Linton Army Camp.

Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman rejected suggestions the non-combat deaths of defence force personnel were linked to low morale.

Some family members of Corporal Douglas Hughes say they want an open inquest to satisfy their questions over the soldier's death.

The coroner who declined a full inquest into the suicide of a gay soldier is a Mormon church elder who attacked same-sex marriage in a submission to Parliament, saying it was an unnecessary "social experiment".

The New Zealand navy is relying on Australian sailors to keep it afloat as skilled crew leave in droves for higher-paid jobs across the Tasman.

The Defence Ministry is about to begin seeking tenders for new training aircraft for the Air Force.