John Key: NZ 'not likely' to do more in fight against Isis

John Key says NZ already has "a significant contribution up there in Iraq". Photo / Mark Mitchell

Prime Minister John Key says he does not know if the United States will be disappointed that New Zealand will not do more to contribute to the fight against Isis (Islamic State), despite the country's formal request.

"I think some people would say yes and some people would say no," he told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking this morning.

US Defence Secretary Ash Carter wrote to the New Zealand Government this week seeking more resources from the 65 countries engaged in Syria or Iraq to help combat Isis.

Mr Key said: "You've got 63 countries doing a range of things - you've got the Brits and the Australians doing airstrikes in Syria, for instance, right through to the Germans this week agreeing that they'll use some of their military assets not for airstrikes but for refuelling and all sorts of other things. So it's not maybe the most co-ordinated plan."

Mr Key said New Zealand considered its options for contributing to the fight against Isis "some time ago".

"We've got a significant contribution up there in Iraq and I kind of feel as though we're in the right space. I don't think it's terribly likely we'll do a lot more at this point."

The letter from the US was "wide ranging and generic" he said.

"I think they've asked anyone and everyone."

New Zealand has deployed 143 Defence Force personnel to support a two-year training mission in Camp Taji, just north of Baghdad, in tandem with the Australian Defence Force.