Defence Force
Hundreds in Afghanistan may not get to New Zealand
More than 500 people in Afghanistan eligible to come to New Zealand may be left to their own fate as the overnight bombing at Kabul Airport puts an end to further Defence Force evacuation flights.
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'Hundreds' left behind in Kabul evacuaiton - Defence Minister
"We are not giving up on bringing those who need to come home, home" Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Friday, as NZ was forced to abandoned its mercy mission in Afghanistan.
Speaking to Checkpoi… Video, Audio
'I was happy that they were safe and that they were taken care of'
An Afghan man who expected his wife and toddler to join him in New Zealand this month has spoken about the relief he felt on learning they were safely evacuated from Kabul.
RNZAF evacuates New Zealanders and Australians from Afghanistan
A Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130 Hercules has returned to its base in the Middle East after evacuating New Zealand and Australian nationals from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan.
Kabul airport chaos hampering Defence Force mission - PM says
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand troops won't be able to rescue everyone they want to from Afghanistan.
Defence Force takes steps to counter wastewater contamination at naval base
A special filter system has been installed at the Auckland naval base because toxic chemicals keep getting into the wastewater, the Defence Force says.
NZ mission to rescue people stuck in Afghanistan begins
A mission to rescue New Zealanders stuck in Afghanistan, and those that helped NZ forces, has finally taken off.
A C-130 Hercules departed Auckland for the Middle East with up to 80 Defence Force… Audio
The catastrophe that is Afghanistan, and NZ's part in it
In Afghanistan the Taliban is taking control again, even as US military planes leave the tarmac in Kabul. Now the war is being compared to Vietnam in its futility. Audio
The catastrophe that is Afghanistan, and NZ's part in it
In Afghanistan the Taliban is taking control again, even as US military planes leave the tarmac in Kabul. Now the war is being compared to Vietnam in its futility.
AudioNZers with families in Afghanistan desperate to be reunited
New Zealanders with families in Afghanistan are desperate to be reunited with their loved ones.
New Zealand is sending one of its Hercules aircraft and 40 Defence Force troops to help with a wider… Audio
Defence Force's most polluted bases revealed
Devonport, on Auckland's North Shore, tops a list of the most polluted Defence Force bases in the country.
Devonport most polluted Defence Force base in NZ
Devonport tops a list of the most polluted Defence Force bases in the country.
Trentham in Upper Hutt, which like Devonport has a lot of housing nearby, ranks among the top five most expensive bases… Audio
Former Afghan interpreter tells of fears for family left behind
One of the Afghan interpreters who helped New Zealand's Provincial Reconstuction Team in Bamyan says his family has fled to the mountains to escape Taliban death squads, who he fears will target them… Audio
NZDF not ready for disaster due to Covid-19 MIQ commitments
If a major disaster happened in New Zealand today, the Defence Force's ability to respond would be significantly compromised, mainly due to its security role at managed isolation hotels. Top officials… Audio
Minister concerned about reduced ability of Defence Force
The Defence Minister admits there's a serious situation with the reduced ability of the defence force to respond to a major disaster. The Chief of Defence Force is also warning about the impact of the… Audio
Defence Force role in MIQ 'reduces capability' to deal with major disaster
Top-ranking officials have warned that with more than 1000 troops staffing MIQ and quarantine, or preparing to go, it would not be able to respond at the same scale and speed as in the past.
Top Stories for Friday 13 August 2021
NZ workers returning from overseas can soon skip MIQ stay; Hendy: 60-70 percent Covid-19 vaccination rates needed; NZDF not ready for disaster due to Covid-19 MIQ commitments; Delays in vetting… Audio
Defence overdue for audit of hazardous materials management
The Defence Ministry is years overdue for an audit of how the military's controls hazardous materials such as rocket fuel and old ammunition.
The audits are required by law and the ministry says they… Audio
Defence Force to lead international maritime security task force
The Defence Force has for the first time taken lead of an international maritime task force that carries out security operations in the Arabian Gulf.
Government spends $47m on Army's new engineering workshop
A new Defence Force engineering facility at Linton Army Camp will cost the government $47 million, and will replace existing workshops, Defence Minister Peeni Henare says.
