New Zealand, Iraq, and Islamic State

A selection of discussions about Iraq, Islamic State, and New Zealand's role in the conflict.

Following months of speculation, on 24th February 2015 the Prime Minister John Key officially announced the New Zealand government would send soldiers to Iraq.

The public was told that New Zealand will deploy a training force of 143 troops to Iraq, as its contribution to the US-led coalition against Islamic State.

John Key on Iraq duration 9:04
from News Extras
Add to playlist

Despite strong opposition to the decision, the Prime Minister said sending troops to Iraq is the right decision, and that it was "time to stand up and be counted".

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully and his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop also put the case for deployment to Iraq, however questions remain over New Zealand's response.

Here is a selection of Radio New Zealand discussions, opinions and analysis about New Zealand, Iraq, and Islamic State.

Collection items

NZ Troops
NZ Army soldiers carry out patrol exercises at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California as part of exercise Dawn Blitz in 2013. Copyright:NZ DEFENCE FORCE / US Marine Corps.