Major General Lou Gardiner, the Chief of Army for three years until he retired last year after 39 years service, said he would back what the SAS troops said over anyone else.

The Defence Force insists that New Zealand SAS troops in Afghanistan involved in a fatal shootout were fired upon first.

Kiwi mum Jacqui Thomas has taken a year out to backpack round the world - with her 7-year-old daughter.

Chinese agricultural company Agria Corp is aiming to lift its shareholding in PGG Wrightson from the current 19 per cent to a majority stake in a bid with New Hope Group, one of China's largest agricultural and food corporations.

Dr Marc Shaw, serving in Afghanistan, writes about his experience of a Christmas far from home.

MP Chris Carter was going to use his international travel perk for an overseas holiday but cancelled it after media found out.

The Government has turned down Hong Kong listed Natural Dairy NZ's controversial bid to buy the Crafar dairy farms from receivers in a deal thought to be worth about $200 million.

Asia produced more than its fair share of contenders for 'Person of the Year' in 2010.

Japanese efficiency means that much can be crammed into a short stay, writes Kerri Jackson.