UPDATED 6.46pm: The Defence Minister is denying the Government's been playing political games over Defence Force plans for sending troops to Iraq.

No announcement was made ahead of Kiwi troops being sent to Australia for training.

That happened during the Northland by-election campaign, and ahead of the Foreign Minister's trip to Iraq for formal talks.

Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee rejects any suggestion political considerations have affected the Government's transparency .

"Well look. If you want to suggest there's some kind of conspiracy around the withholding of numbers, you go for your life. It's not the case."

He says he recalls saying prior to Christmas that New Zealand troops would be training with their Australian counterparts before leaving for Iraq.

However last December Mr Brownlee was, in face of accusations from New Zealand First, actively denying troops were being trained for a planned deployment to Iraq

 

Meanwhile, it's back to Australia for a group of New Zealand soldiers before heading to Iraq to help train security forces.

Around 60 soldiers are across the Tasman at the moment and will be back in New Zealand for Easter.

About 50 went to Australia last week, with most now back in the country.

Land Component Commander Brigadier Peter Kelly says personnel heading to Iraq will have an Easter break with their families before heading back to Australia for the next phase of preparation with the Australian Defence Force.