Defence Force
Former defence minister rejects Afghan war crimes claim
A former Defence Minister accepts civilians died when the SAS attacked two Afghan villages but is rejecting claims soldiers could have committed war crimes. Audio
Former SAS commander doubts an inquiry would reveal much
A former SAS commander says he doubts an inquiry into the Afghan attack, so long after the event, will shed much light on what went wrong. Audio
Mapp: SAS not guilty of war crimes, operation a "fiasco"
The former Defence Minister Wayne Mapp says New Zealand soldiers in Afghanistan are not guilty of war crimes. He says although the operation was a fiasco, they acted in the reasonable belief they were… Audio
Radio silence from Defence Force on Hit & Run claims
"In 2014 I was informed that... a 3-year-old child got killed". Former defence minister Wayne Mapp is at odds with the Defence Force who are insisting no civilians were killed in an SAS joint mission… Audio
Afghan raid: Ex-minister accepts reports of civilian deaths
Ex-Defence Minister Wayne Mapp has accepted reports civilians were killed in a 2010 raid in Afghanistan involving the New Zealand SAS. Audio
PM doesn't rule out inquiry into Afghanistan attack
RNZ Political Editor Jane Patterson discusses reports former Defence Minister Wayne Mapp has confirmed civilians were killed in an attack in Afghanistan. Audio
'It's an untenable situation'
Author of Hit & Run author Jon Stephenson says the government must hold an inquiry into SAS attacks in Afghanistan after former Defence Minister Wayne Mapp conceded civilians were killed. Audio
'It's possible' civilians were killed - former Chief of Army
Former Chief of Army Rhys Jones says it is possible civilians were killed in an SAS attack in Afghanistan, as "there may have been things we weren't aware of". Audio
PM Bill English resists calls for inquiry into SAS raid claims
The Defence Force says an investigation into the SAS operation in Afghanistan concluded the allegations they killed civilians were unfounded and it stands by those findings. Audio
Deputy PM not disturbed by Hager book claims
Paula Bennnett says there is nothing that has disturbed her in information she has seen about a new book by Nicky Hager alleging civilians were killed in a New Zealand-led raid in Afghanistan. Audio
Blanket denial made about claims SAS soldiers killed civilians
Journalist Jon Stephenson says SAS soldiers involved in a botched raid in Afghanistan have told him and fellow writer Nicky Hager that lies were told to cover up the fact civilians were killed. Audio
Deputy PM holds Defence line over Hager book claims
Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett she takes the word of the New Zealand Defence Force that the SAS were not involved in alleged killings of Afghan civilians as claimed in Nicky Hager and Jon… Audio
New book claims Govt, NZDF covered up civilian casualties
Journalist Nicky Hager says it is beyond belief government officials deny New Zealand SAS troops were involved in civilian deaths during a botched raid in Afghanistan in 2010 Audio
Labour non-commital on defence spending
A $20 billion Defence Force upgrade cannot be guaranteed under a Labour-led government. Audio
Defence Force upgrade in question under Labour govt
A $20 billion Defence Force upgrade already underway could not be guaranteed under a Labour-led government.
Labour won't commit to $20 billion Defence Force upgrade
Last year the government unveiled the multi-billion dollar plan to equip the Defence Force with new aircraft, combat vessels and weaponry, as well as a major upgrade to its property. The Labour leader… Audio
Afghan interpreters in NZ fear families could die without visas
Afghan interpreters in NZ fear family back in their home country are now suffering because of their involvement with the NZ Defence Force and they're now pleading with the Government to issue visas to… Audio
Crown says veteran's injuries not cobra venom but disease
A former soldier is in the High Court wanting his pension backdated to 1966, saying he should've been on a disabled soldiers pension since then. He blames his deteriorating eyesight on a cobra that… Audio
Logic seen in Singapore fighter pilot base in NZ
A proposal for Singapore to use the Ohakea airbase as a training facility for its jet pilots is being seen as a logical next step in defence relations between the two countries.
RNZAF takes possible Hercules replacement for test flight
The Defence Force today trialled a new military transport plane as part of the $20 billion plan to modernise in the next 15 years.
