Author | Lightnews

German Air Force on training visit to New Zealand

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) @nzdf.mil.nz · 12h

NEWS📢 The Royal New Zealand Air Force will be hosting several German Air Force aircraft from later this week and working alongside the visitors as they conduct flying training in Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft from Base Woodbourne.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) will be hosting several German Air Force (GAF) aircraft from later this week and working alongside the visitors as they conduct flying training in Airbus A400M…

NZ Army teams up with local jet company in training first

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) @nzdf.mil.nz · 5d

STORY📰 Soldiers from the #NZArmy have carried out a significant training first when local defence contractor, Fighter Jets NZ, was used to simulate realistic close air support missions with jet aircraft.

Soldiers from the New Zealand Army, Ngāti Tūmatauenga have carried out a significant training first when local defence contractor, Fighter Jets NZ, was used to simulate realistic close air support…

NZ Army wins gold in Welsh military challenge

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) @nzdf.mil.nz · 8d

STORY📰 Eight personnel from 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment were among units from around 30 countries vying for top honours at Exercise Cambrian Patrol, the British Army’s principal all arms patrol exercise.

Eight personnel from 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (RNZIR) were among units from around 30 countries vying for top honours at Exercise Cambrian Patrol, the British Army’s…

NZDF support to weather events

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) @nzdf.mil.nz · 9d

NEWS📢 We continue to support the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)-led emergency response to the recent national weather events in the South Island. Read our updates ⬇️ nzdf.mil.nz/nzdf-support-to-south

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) support to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)-led emergency response to the recent national weather events in the South Island, New Zealand.

nzdf.mil.nz

NZ Army’s Marlborough exercise switches from evacuation to combat

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) @nzdf.mil.nz · 13d

STORY📰 #NZArmy soldiers wrap up the largest exercise in the South Island for 2025, aimed to test the Motorised Infantry Company Group with supporting units from across 1st (NZ) Brigade and the #NZAirForce.

New Zealand Army soldiers wrap up the largest exercise in the South Island for 2025, aimed to test the Motorised Infantry Company Group (MICG) with supporting units from across 1st (NZ) Brigade and…

NZDF ship and aircraft deploy to Indo-Pacific region for operations and exercises

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) @nzdf.mil.nz · 14d

NEWS📢 The New Zealand Defence Force will shortly deploy air and naval assets to support United Nations monitoring of North Korea as it also conducts operations, training and engagements with partners while in the region.

The New Zealand Defence Force will shortly deploy air and naval assets to support United Nations monitoring of North Korea as it also conducts operations, training and engagements with partners while…

Hercules lights up Cook Islands Blue Light course

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) @nzdf.mil.nz · 15d

STORY📰 For the first time in its more than 10-year history, the #CookIslands Blue Light programme has given its teenage participants a hands-on experience with a multi-million-dollar #NZAirForce C-130J Hercules aircraft.

For the first time in its more than 10-year history, the Cook Islands Blue Light programme has given its teenage participants a hands-on experience with a multi-million-dollar Royal New Zealand Air…

New Zealand soldiers dig deep for expert US Army challenge

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) @nzdf.mil.nz · 15d

STORY📰 In a first-time encounter with a gruelling US Army expert-level challenge of fitness and soldiering skills, a team of #NZArmy soldiers has bettered the typical pass rate.

In a first-time encounter with a gruelling US Army expert-level challenge of fitness and soldiering skills, a team of New Zealand Army soldiers has bettered the typical pass rate.

NZ Army chef cooking up a storm in the United States

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) @nzdf.mil.nz · 15d

STORY📰 When Katie Emmett joined the #NZArmy as a chef, her mother told her she’d get the chance to see the world. That prediction came true with several international opportunities in her military career so far.

When Tauranga woman Katie Emmett joined the New Zealand Army as a chef, her mother told her she’d get the chance to see the world. That prediction came true with several international opportunities…

Divers test their engineering skills in Guam

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) @nzdf.mil.nz · 16d

STORY📰 Welding, bolting and construction – it gets a lot more complex when it’s underwater.

Welding, bolting and construction – it gets a lot more complex when it’s underwater.

Waipukurau hosts NZ Army urban warfare exercise for Officer Cadets

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) @nzdf.mil.nz · 16d

STORY📰 The streets of #Waipukurau turned into a fictious overseas deployment for 40 #NZArmy Officer Cadets last week, as they took part in Exercise Santici.

The streets of Waipukurau turned into a fictious overseas deployment for 40 New Zealand Army Officer Cadets last week, as they took part in Exercise Santici.

Royal New Zealand Air Force T-6C Texan II fleet hits milestone

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) @nzdf.mil.nz · 19d

STORY📰 The #NZAirForce's T-6C Texan II fleet has reached a milestone with 40,000 flying hours – roughly equivalent to flying non-stop for four and a half years.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force’s (RNZAF) T-6C Texan II fleet has reached a milestone with 40,000 flying hours – roughly equivalent to flying non-stop for four and a half years.

New commander of frigate Te Kaha

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) @nzdf.mil.nz · 19d

STORY📰 A sailor whose mother reckoned the Navy wouldn’t work out for him has taken command of a #NZNavy frigate nearly 30 years later. Commander Andy Hunt took command of HMNZS Te Kaha today in front of over 150 family, friends and shipmates.

A sailor whose mother reckoned the Navy wouldn’t work out for him has taken command of a Royal New Zealand Navy frigate nearly 30 years later.

Commander gets perspective on vital NZDF work overseas

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) @nzdf.mil.nz · 20d

STORY📰 Commander Joint Forces Major General Rob Krushka has been getting a first-hand appreciation of the work our personnel do in difficult parts of the world.

Commander Joint Forces Major General Rob Krushka has been getting a first-hand appreciation of the work NZDF personnel do in difficult parts of the world.

Vanuatu corporal lights up at opportunities in Pacific exercise

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) @nzdf.mil.nz · 20d

STORY📰 Corporal Ronaldo Kalkau of the Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF) is embracing the chance to work with #Pacific militaries as they carry out a range of engineering tasks in the #CookIslands.

Corporal Ronaldo Kalkau of the Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF) is embracing the chance to work with Pacific militaries as they carry out a range of engineering tasks in the Cook Islands.

Navy diver who led team during HMNZS Manawanui response receives award

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) @nzdf.mil.nz · 20d

STORY📰 Lieutenant Christian Lloyd, who led the #NZNavy diving contingent in Samoa in the aftermath of the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui, is being recognised with a Chief of Defence Force commendation for his actions in dangerous and challenging conditions.

Christian Lloyd, who led the Royal New Zealand Navy diving contingent in Samoa in the aftermath of the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui, is being recognised with a Chief of Defence Force commendation for hi...

NZ Army proves evacuation capabilities in Marlborough exercise

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) @nzdf.mil.nz · 21d

STORY📰 The #NZArmy has tested its ability to rapidly conduct an evacuation of non-combatants during an exercise in Marlborough, successfully proving a vital high-readiness capability of our Defence Force.

The New Zealand Army has tested its ability to rapidly conduct an evacuation of non-combatants during an exercise in Marlborough, successfully proving a vital high-readiness capability of the New…

Fijian soldier chips in for multinational exercise in Pacific backyard

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) @nzdf.mil.nz · 22d

STORY📰 Republic of Fiji Military Forces engineer Sapper Sakaraia Tukuca has served in the Middle East several times but is relishing his latest deployment in his Pacific neighbourhood.

Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) engineer Sapper Sakaraia Tukuca has served in the Middle East several times but is relishing his latest deployment in his Pacific neighbourhood.

His Majesty’s Armed Forces join NZDF engineering exercise in Cook Islands

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) @nzdf.mil.nz · 22d

STORY📰 Two Tongan soldiers are getting their first taste of an overseas deployment as they assist with engineering tasks in the #CookIslands, as part of a multinational effort led by our Defence Force.

Two Tongan soldiers are getting their first taste of an overseas deployment as they assist with engineering tasks in the Cook Islands, as part of a multinational effort led by the New Zealand Defence…

Whanganui soldier following in father’s footsteps with South Korea deployment

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) @nzdf.mil.nz · 23d

STORY📰 Warrant Officer Class 1 Grant Collins is embracing the challenges of a multi-role deployment in a country where his father once served.

Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1) Grant Collins is embracing the challenges of a multi-role deployment in a country where his father once served.

'Job done and more' - NZDF winds up Exercise Tropic Twilight in Cook Islands

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) @nzdf.mil.nz · 23d

STORY📰 Our work on the island of Ma’uke in the Cook Islands will have a long-lasting impact on the island, as Exercise Tropic Twilight wraps up following a month of work.

The New Zealand Defence Force’s work on the island of Ma’uke in the Cook Islands will have a long-lasting impact on the island, as Exercise Tropic Twilight wraps up following a month of work.

Search begins for families of recently identified First World War casualties

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) @nzdf.mil.nz · 26d

NEWS📢 The final resting place of two machine gunners named Thomas who died on New Zealand’s ‘blackest day’ of the First World War can now be identified thanks to new research.

The final resting place of two machine gunners named Thomas who died on New Zealand’s ‘blackest day’ of the First World War can now be identified thanks to new research.

NZ Army and RNZAF test high-readiness interoperability

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) @nzdf.mil.nz · 26d

NEWS📢 The ability to rapidly deploy personnel and equipment in our region and further afield is crucial for our military response options. Exercise Cassino is set to put personnel through their paces over the coming weeks.

The ability to rapidly deploy personnel and equipment in our region and further afield is crucial for the New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) military response options. Exercise Cassino is set to put…

Exercise in disguise: Moving for mental health

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) @nzdf.mil.nz · 27d

STORY📰 Roughly 200 #NZAirForce Base Ohakea personnel and their families ran, walked, biked or scooted around the base’s runways in support of Mental Health Awareness Week.

Roughly 200 Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Base Ohakea personnel and their families ran, walked, biked or scooted around the base’s runways in support of Mental Health Awareness Week.