Third batch of Kiwi troops headed to Iraq

A third batch of Kiwi troops are bound for Iraq but a Labour MP says the deployments have had little impact on the war against Islamic State.

While Prime Minister John Key has applauded Kiwi efforts to train Iraqi soldiers, Labour's foreign affairs spokesman David Shearer says the Government's self-assessment of the mission is a joke.

"If most people set a test, then sat the test and then marked the test, they'd probably come out with pretty good results themselves," Shearer said.

But a report released last month showed New Zealand troops were making a difference in Iraq, according to the Government.

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Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee said a review of the deployment nine months on showed it had been successful and the New Zealand trainers were imparting "their knowledge and high standards to Iraqi soldiers who need help to rid their country of Daesh (Isis)".

The report noted that in recent months Isis has suffered a series of setbacks including losing control of 40 per cent of its territory in Iraq and 20 per cent in Syria.

But Shearer said the report wasn't valid given it was "the armed forces evaluating themselves and then marking the results".

"I expected that to be an independent evaluation - not our people going in and evaluating themselves for heaven's sake.

"To then make that report public and say we've done a terrific job - I just don't think that works."

Brownlee and Commander Joint Forces, Major General Tim Gall, were both at Christchurch Airport on Friday morning to farewell the latest troops to be deployed.

First stop for the personnel is Adelaide where they'll complete a three-week exercise with the Australian Defence Force to integrate them into a "single task group" to train Iraqi Security Forces.

From there they will be deployed straight to Camp Taji.

"The Mission Readiness Exercise has proved invaluable for the past two rotations, as it enabled the task groups to integrate and build key relationships. This meant they could hit the ground running when they got to Taji," Major General Gall said.

It's been 11 months since Australian and New Zealand task forces jointly started training Iraqi soldiers in the fight against Islamic State. 

In that time more than 4000 Iraqis have completed training - the joint taskforce is a two year operation that is scheduled to wrap up mid next year.

Key has previously ruled out extending the deployment period beyond two years - something Shearer has heavily criticised.

"The reason that we sent our troops was to be part of the club. The reason to pull them out after two years is because Key doesn't want our troops over there during an election, it's pretty simple."

Shearer said the two-year commitment means troops "stay out in the election period, Key ticks the boxes with the Americans and he's done the minimum".

"That's made a difference for a few individuals but if they then go into a war that's ill-equipped, badly led and corrupt, then basically nothing has really changed."

Earlier this year Brownlee received a letter from the United States Secretary of Defence, Ash Carter, requesting that New Zealand consider expanding its contribution to the fight against Isis.

Carter put out a global call for extra help in December, including elite troops, air strikes and the provision of ammunition and training.

Key has previously indicated sending the SAS was off the table.