Wellington, June 30 NZPA - The Government rejected an Australian request for a joint Anzac force in Afghanistan because it would put more New Zealand soldiers at risk, Prime Minister John Key said today.

Wellington, June 30 NZPA - The Government rejected an Australian request for a joint Anzac force in Afghanistan, it was reported today. New Zealand and Australian forces are in Afghanistan as part of a Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

By Kate Chapman of NZPA Wellington, June 23 NZPA - Belittling comments about President Barack Obama and his advisors by the United States' top general in Afghanistan will not influence New Zealand's commitment to Afghanistan, Prime Minister John Key says.

Wellington, June 3 NZPA - Defence and Research, Science and Technology Minister Wayne Mapp is on his way to Singapore and Europe today for a series of meetings in both portfolios. Dr Mapp will attend the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore later this week.

Wellington, May 5 NZPA - Senior ministers are reluctant to comment on New Zealand's ongoing commitments in Afghanistan before Prime Minister John Key returns and briefs them on the assessment he has made of the situation there.

Wellington, May 4 NZPA - Neville Reilly is be New Zealand's first resident ambassador in Afghanistan and Dick Newlands civilian director of the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully announced today.

By Maggie Tait of NZPA Bamiyan, April 4 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key spent his last day in Afghanistan in Bamiyan province rubbing shoulders with the locals.

Wellington, Jan 27 NZPA - There will be less secrecy around New Zealand Special Air Services (SAS) activities from now on after the Government and Defence Force agreed to greater openness.

Wellington, Jan 26 NZPA - Talks will begin soon on a working holiday scheme for young Vietnamese and New Zealanders to travel and work in each other's countries, Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said today.

Wellington, Jan 22 NZPA - Foreign Minister Murray McCully is to attended a high-level conference on Afghanistan in England next week, stopping off in Vietnam on the way.