With the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group committing yet another atrocity, a 3 News-Reid Research poll shows New Zealanders are split on whether to send troops to Iraq to help fight it.
But the poll also shows New Zealanders are united on one view – if we do commit troops, there will be a terror attack in retaliation.
Another week, another horrific act by the Islamic State – Japanese journalist Kenji Goto was beheaded by the terrorist known as "Jihadi John".
His mother is in mourning.
As the world grapples with how to deal with IS, New Zealand is close to joining the fight.
A final government decision is imminent that will sign off sending troops in a non-combat role, to train Iraqi forces.
A 3 News poll shows the public are divided.
Asked – "Do you support sending Kiwi troops in a non-combat training role to Iraq to help the fight against Islamic State?" – a slim majority, 50 percent, said yes, and 45 percent said no. The rest didn't know.
"It shows a majority of New Zealanders understand that there is a need for New Zealand to make a contribution to stand up to Islamic State," says Prime Minister John Key.
Countries fighting IS in Iraq have been attacked by Islamic extremists. In France 17 people have been killed, in Australia two have been killed, and in Canada and attack left one dead.
Asked if committing troops will put New Zealand at more risk of a terror attack in retaliation 73 percent of voters say yes and just 24 percent say no. The rest didn't know.
The Prime Minister says New Zealand must act before it gets worse.
"My own personal view is that if Islamic State were able to become stronger and more entrenched and control more territory longer term, that presents greater risks to New Zealanders."
IS itself is capable of retaliating directly. Just days after Japan's president pledged $200 million to help countries battling IS, Mr Goto and friend Haruna Yukawa were symbolically revealed then beheaded.
But Mr Key says IS is a threat to Kiwis whether troops are committed or not.
"It's a convenient excuse that terrorists put up to try and intimidate people, but the reality is that risk is there whether New Zealand does something or does nothing."
3 News
source: newshub archive
