Updated 11.50am: John Key's told an international peace conference in Istanbul that when Kiwis and Aussies landed at Gallipoli 100 years ago, they were fighting a people they knew little of and had no quarrel with.

At the end of the eight month battle, 130,000 had been killed.

A century later, Mr Key says it's time to reflect.

"Gallipoli demonstrates that forgiveness and respect between former adversaries, can provide a foundation for the emergence of close, warm ties and peace."

He says the sacrifices were made with one goal in mind - a safer future for their children and grandchildren.

"That goal remains as elusive and challenging for us today as it was for our forebears."

Tony Abbott's praised the Turks for showing foes can become friends, even after the invasion of their country.

With the Turkish Prime Minister on stage, Mr Abbott praised the country that lost so many men defending Gallipoli.

"Our friendship proves that when the battle is over, when the wounds have healed, and when the ground has cooled, warriors can see their enemies' virtues."

John Key told the leaders, including Iraq's, that the scourge of ISIS entices people from around the world to commit brutal acts in their own countries, regardless of where they are.

Mr Key says the terrorist group also entices foreign fighters and extremists to the region.

He says that's why all countries have a role to play in confronting the threat.

Meanwhile Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott will today attend a memorial service for Turkish soldiers at Gallipoli that's at the centre of a diplomatic storm.

Mr Abbott, along with New Zealand prime minister John Key, will join Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other world leaders at the Canakkale Martyrs Memorial.

However, the staging of the service on April 24 has drawn accusations the Turkish government is seeking to overshadow the centenary of mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman forces.

Armenia has demanded Turkey recognise the killings of hundreds of thousands of Armenians as genocide, with Australian Armenians urging Mr Abbott to follow the Pope's example and recognise the deaths as such.