The Defence Force has confirmed soldiers will be given the chance to withdraw from the New Zealand contingent going to Iraq.

A total of 143 personnel have been committed to the mission, which will train Iraq's military for the fight against Islamic State.

The Defence Force says as part of its mission to be a good employer, personnel are able to flag up reasons they believe make them unsuitable for the mission.

These include personal and family circumstances, and ethical grounds.

But retired Major General Lou Gardiner says it's a long-standing part of life in the Defence Force.

He says New Zealand's soldiers don't enlist to be war mongers, but because they want to make a difference.

Gardiner says whether that's achieved by installing toilets in the Solomons or training forces in Iraq doesn't matter to Defence personnel.

The Defence Force is yet to confirm the final make-up of the initial deployment to Iraq, but it will include female troops.

During his day of talks in Auckland yesterday, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has used the Anzac bond to make his case on sending troops to Iraq to the Leader of the Opposition.

Andrew Little had a half-hour discussion with Abbott at Eden Park.

The Labour leader says he thought it was interesting Abbott talked about the contribution of each country's troops as an ANZAC contingent.

"Although he said it wouldn't be badged that way, he clearly saw it as part of the ANZAC spirit."

Little says while he and Abbott don't agree about the deployment, he's pleased he took the time to listen.