John Key: "Are we going to say that we are going to, sort of, be part of a club?"

NZ part of international anti-Islamic State coalition - Prime Minister John Key

New Zealand's entry into the international anti-Islamic State coalition is "the price of the club," Prime Minister John Key says.

Stuff,

20 January, 2015

In an interview with the BBC in London, Key didn't specify which "club" he was talking about, although he did refer to the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network.

He has previously said Kiwi troops will only go to Iraq to support Australia in training other forces. Cabinet will make a final decision next month.

He acknowledged that the conflict could come "with great human cost."

But he said New Zealand would not accompany other nations "as they go out to prosecute" the militants.

"New Zealand has to take a view, doesn't it, ultimately?" he told the BBC.

"Are we going to say that we are going to, sort of, be part of a club. A bit like we are with Five Eyes intelligence, are we going to, you know, ultimately be able to rely on the members of those clubs to support us in our moment of need.

"And we do know that when it comes to the United States and Canada and Australia and Great Britain and others that we can rely on them if we don't have the resources to fly someone out of a particular country if there is a particular problem or support our citizens, others will.

"And I think if you are going to take that view then you can't say when the going gets tough you are going to leave it to the other guys."

If the Islamic State (IS) became "more powerful" in the long term, this would present "greater risks" to Kiwis, he said.

Air-strikes, by a US-led multi-coalition, began in August after IS fighters attacked Yazidis in north-west Iraq.

Earlier this week, Canadian snipers exchanged fire with militants it what is thought to have been the first ground battle.