Poor policy and a culture of not asking questions led to senior Defence Force staff double-dipping on allowances, a report has found.

The Auditor-General Lyn Provost has questioned the values within the New Zealand Defence Force which allowed a belief to develop that any officer could be ordered to commit an unlawful act.

The survivor of a crash that killed three colleagues is having difficulty comprehending his fate, his uncle said.

The sole survivor of the worst Air Force tragedy in decades probably does not know three colleagues have died.

Australians have paid tribute to three RNZAF personnel who died in a helicopter crash on Anzac Day.

An Air Force crewman ran 2km through rugged uphill terrain to get to the helicopter wreck that contained the bodies of three colleagues.

The Govt is considering taking over Safe Air in Blenheim so the air force can finish having its five C-130 Hercules upgraded.

A military helicopter at the centre of a $770 million NZ Air Force upgrade has copped harsh criticism in a German Army report.

Lifeguards say they do not want the power to arrest people who ignore beach closures, despite calls for them to be given enforcement powers.

New Zealand's tsunami alert has been cancelled but people in coastal areas of the country are still advised to take caution.

Hundreds of New Zealanders who raced to beaches to watch a potentially catastrophic tsunami were 'stupid', says Civil Defence Minister John Carter.

Air New Zealand engineering subsidiary Safe Air in Blenheim is planning to cut 100 jobs from its workforce.