The Government is being urged to back up John Key's message to the United Nations with action here at home.

MORE: Key: Security Council has 'extraordinary power imbalance'

The Prime Minister has told the UN General Assembly in New York it has failed to act on Syria.

Amnesty International welcomes John Key's acknowledgement of the suffering caused by the conflict, and the refugee crisis.

But its Executive Director Grant Bayldon said New Zealand needs to walk the talk.

"Almost three decades without increasing its own refugee quota, and languishing at 90th in the world per capita for refugee intakes - New Zealand isn't really in a credible position to push the Security Council to do more."