Updated 1.31pm: He'll only be in New Zealand for 24 hours, but Prime Minister Tony Abbott is expected to discuss Iraq, mark the Anzac centenary, and take in some cricket during his first official trip.

Mr Abbott will be jetting into Auckland this afternoon where he'll be met at the airport by NZ Prime Minister John Key.

The visit comes just days after Mr Key announced that up to 143 Kiwi military personnel would be sent to Iraq to help train local forces as part of the fight against Islamic State.

A decision is due any day now on whether New Zealanders will work with Australian troops in Iraq.

A deployment of 143 New Zealand personnel is being sent over in May, and the government's indicated they'd prefer to work in tandem with Australia.

Prime Minister John Key says a proposal is going to Australia's National Security Council.

He says partnering with them would be best because we've got a strong history of working well together, but it's ultimately up to the Australian government.