Defence Force

'Brass banding is a great relaxation,' says Bill Rimmer, a Soprano Cornet player with The Band of the Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery, 'We all come from different walks of life…and we're all… Audio

The inaugural Invictus Games have begun in London. The event has been put together by a team led by Prince Harry, and celebrates what he calls the fighting spirit of the wounded, injured and sick… Audio

Why did New Zealand troops serve in Afghanistan? How much do we know about this war? An award winning documentary is now being taught as part of the NCEA curriculum within secondary schools across our… Audio

Leonard Leary describes joining up and going to Samoa, CAL Treadwell on the keenness of the officer training units. Sidney Jones on embarking for Samoa. Extracts from contemporary newspapers. Audio

Military historian Christopher Pugsley talks with John McCrystal about his career, the business of writing about the First World War, and it contemporary resonances. Audio

The eminent historian Professor Margaret MacMillan explores the origins of the First World War, and the contemporary parallels to what happened a century ago. With Kate Hunter in the chair, this… Audio

Kate Newton explores whether NZ will need the same sort of Defence Force in the future. Audio

Defence commentators say a lack of peace-keeping commitments could undermine New Zealand's bid for a United Nations Security Council seat. Audio

There's a call for Pacific island soldiers who fought in the First World War to be honoured alongside Anzac troops at New Zealand's main war memorials. Audio

Nick Atkinson hung out at Maori Television as they filmed their ambitious ANZAC Concert featuring Hinewehi Mohi, The Four Sures and Will Crummer, who's joined on-stage by his daughter Annie. Tama… Audio

Soon the polls will open in Afghanistan and the country will choose a new President. It'll be an important term, as foreign troops prepare to pull out by the end of the year. Former Labour Minister… Audio

For the first time in 32 years, the Royal New Zealand Navy Band has released an album. And while the 30-strong band does not have plans to be on the billboard top 10, going into the studio has been a… Audio

Luke Smith of the Imperial War Museum in London is looking for New Zealand stories in a massive digital project to commemorate the centenary of the First World War. Audio

The way's been cleared for the sole survivor of the Anzac Day helicopter crash to prosecute the Defence Force, with a judge dismissing its reasons why the usual six month time limit on such… Audio

The father of an airforce crewman killed in an Anzac Day helicopter crash says a Defence Force offer of money is strange and surprising. Audio

Duncan Sandilands never expected to have to go into battle just to serve the country he lives in. The former New Zealand solider lives in Australia now. And despite his military record, the ANZAC… Audio

As New Zealanders remember their countrymen who fell at Gallipoli and other battles, One in Five looks instead at what happens to those who are become injured or disabled in the line of duty. Katy… Audio

Belinda McCammon looks at NZ's Afghan legacy Audio

Tens of thousands of people are expected to flock to the air force base in Ohakea to see old and new aircraft in action, from here and overseas, some of which date back to the First World War. Audio

In Ideas today we're taking a look at the privatization of war. Military contracting, or outsourcing, is a 100 billion dollar industry. Audio