New Zealand will withdraw its troops from Iraq over the next year and do so "alongside of Australia", its defence minister says.
Since 2015, New Zealand has deployed personnel alongside Australian forces to train Iraqi soldiers at Camp Taji, north of Baghdad, with 95 Kiwis currently there.
Its government on Monday afternoon announced the nation's contribution to the mission would be ending over the next year, with its troops to be gradually withdrawn by June in 2020.
Aussie diggers secure an area prior to the Iraqi soldiers starting their night time activities in Taji, Iraq. Source: Gary Ramage
"The goal of any training mission is to ensure that it becomes a sustainable program," Defence Minister Ron Mark said.
"Significant progress has been made in this area, which will allow the mission to reduce in numbers and conclude within the next year."
But Mr Mark added New Zealand's withdrawal was not unilateral.
"Now it's about mentoring and training trainers and then, alongside of Australia, exiting and having an exit plan. It's not just New Zealand that's downsizing here," he told reporters.
"We will be downsizing alongside of them, working with them, not just walking away from the mission."
Jacinda Ardern. Source: AAP
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said "I think their deployment has changed but it's not for me to ultimately put a date on their decision".
She said she had discussed New Zealand's withdrawal with Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
The Australian government has also been considering the future of Task Group Taji, amid speculation a ninth rotation of trainers, deployed in June, may be the last.
"Australia is a proud contributor to the US-led Global Coalition to combat the Daesh terrorist threat in Iraq and Syria," a Defence spokesperson told SBS.
"Together with New Zealand, the Australian Defence Force has trained almost 44,000 Iraqi security personnel in Iraq since 2014, through the combined Task Group Taji.
"Australia and New Zealand consult closely on their respective deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan and Australia is proud to support the Iraqi Security Forces, alongside its New Zealand counterparts.
"We will continue to work closely with New Zealand as it gradually draws down its footprint in Iraq.
"Australia regularly reviews its overseas operations, taking into account the needs of the Iraqi Government and the operational context on the ground."
There are about 300 Australian Defence Force personnel at the camp.
New Zealand's government on Monday also announced it would be extending its mission in Afghanistan, although reducing its personnel from 13 to 11 and changing the nature of its work.
