Updated 10.15am: A refugee advocacy organisation believes the crisis of Rohingya boat people is New Zealand's problem.

The Refugee Council of New Zealand has called on New Zealand to show regional leadership and accept more refugees each year, over and above the current quota of 750 annually.

The Rohingya refugees are effectively stateless, as they are considered illegal immigrants by Myanmar, where most come from.

Labour and New Zealand First back an increase in the refugee quota.

However, the Prime Minister believes we're letting in 'just the right number' of refugees.

John Key says the intensive process of supporting a refugee family in New Zealand needs to be considered.

"All the evidence shows you it's quite a long slow process, so I think we've got the numbers about right."

He added a dismissal of opposition calls for a quote increase.

"I know Labour are now saying that they want to, but they had a hell of a long time in government and they never did it."

The refugee quota has not been increased since 1987, a period during which both National and Labour have governed.