Defence Force

Six of the 41 new troops will join the UN's Honour Guard - with the rest joining a security battalion operating in the Korean Demilitarised Zone.

The Defence Force is moving to rectify "serious deficiencies" in how it handles information stored in its old and risky systems.

From July, Kiwis who are permanent residents and have been living in Australia for at least a year before applying will be able to join the ADF.

Five countries have agreed to stage more complex military drills in the region this year involving drones, fifth-generation fighter planes and surveillance aircraft.

The extended deployments include supporting UN efforts on contested Israel and Arab country borders.

The first New Zealanders evacuated from New Caledonia should be back in Auckland tonight.

Peter Boshier says the information gap undermined his initial investigation, and meant the NZDF avoided being accountable.

For the past few years, Ohakea did not have enough trained fire and rescue staff to be on hand 24/7 should a jet need to land.

An Australian Strategic Policy Institute report says Pillar Two could raise the industry to state of the art capability - or "crush" it "under the weight of the globe's biggest player".

Failing accommodation, tarmac problems and a deteriorating naval base were all laid bare before a $571 million spend-up was unveiled today.

An extra half a billion dollars is going to Defence in this year's Budget for pay and equipment upgrades, the Defence Minister has announced.