Latest fromMinistry of Defence

Christchurch buildings demolished without owners' knowledge
More than 10 per cent of buildings demolished in Christchurch following last month's quake were levelled without the knowledge of their owners.

Christchurch schools open as refugees return home
Christchurch is getting ready for the return of up to 60,000 residents with 110 schools also set to reopen this morning.

Six more earthquake victims named
Police today released the names of six more people who died in Christchurch's February 22, magnitude 6.3 earthquake, while Education Minister Anne Tolley has announced 110 schools in the region will have reopened by next week.

Christchurch quake: Hospitals in north take in casualties
North Island hospitals are receiving Christchurch earthquake victims and plan to send specialists to help in the devastated city.

Christchurch quake: Govt waits for grim news of deaths
The Government was this afternoon waiting for details of deaths in Christchurch and a second emergency cabinet meeting will be held tonight.

'Nerve-wracking' escape from Cairo
A New Zealander who managed to flee the turmoil in Egypt says he feared for his safety, and getting a flight out had been "a bit of a gamble". "I just was trying my best to remain calm. It's rather nerve-wracking to have gunfire and so on

The Wellington to stand guard for Auckland regatta
Every year a Navy ship is selected to lead the Auckland Anniversary Regatta. Loaded with VIPs and Navy crew, the vessel becomes the guard ship for the regatta and is the platform from which races are started.

Buyer fails to meet Skyhawks deadline
The air force's 17 mothballed Skyhawk jet fighters look likely to end up as museum pieces or spare parts after a Christmas deadline passed with no sign of any money from the American buyer.

NZ SAS 'too disciplined' to have fired first, says former top soldier
Major General Lou Gardiner, the Chief of Army for three years until he retired last year after 39 years service, said he would back what the SAS troops said over anyone else.

SAS 'fired on first' in Kabul battle
The Defence Force insists that New Zealand SAS troops in Afghanistan involved in a fatal shootout were fired upon first.

WikiLeaks: US image in NZ 'has been damaged by leaks'
Helen Clark believes WikiLeaks cables showing 'disrespect' for NZ's foreign policy have damaged the US image in NZ.

'Cosmic masters' call for Govt investigation into UFOs
Alien worshippers are urging the Govt to admit extraterrestrial life is out there after the release of thousands of secret files.

US envoys were bullies: Clark
Former PM Helen Clark says concerns by the US Embassy over the screening of Michael Moore's film Fahrenheit 9/11 for a Labour Party fundraising event showed "outright bullying" and "unprofessional" conduct by officials.

Files shine light on UFO sightings
NZ's most famous UFO sighting was a moving cluster of bright lights five times the size of a large fishing vessel that dazzled and spooked the occupants of a small plane, files released today reveal.