UPDATED 6.01PM: A university professor believes the contingent of Muslim teachers being sent to New Zealand could have a "disruptive" effect on this country's Islamic population. 

Egypt's Government is sending imams trained at the foremost institution in the Islamic world for Sunni theology and sharia law to New Zealand.

LISTEN ABOVE: Waikato University Islamic Studies professor Doug Pratt talks to Larry Williams

They will take control of New Zealand mosques and Islamic centres in a new drive to, they say, reduce radicalisation and counter jihadism.

But Douglas Pratt, religious studies professor at Waikato University, doesn't believe there is a serious risk of radicalisation. 

He says the Muslim population in New Zealand is incredibly peaceful and law abiding, and there's no reason to think otherwise.

"It's a bit over the top to have this sense that there's a radicalisation going on that needs to be countered by imams from Egypt. That's a bit of smokescreen," Pratt said. 

"When you have an imam brought in from overseas who brings in a very narrow interpretation, that has a disruptive effect on a local Muslim community that has been able to successfully marry Muslim practices and principles with a Kiwi lifestyle." 

Islamic Women's Council spokesperson Anjum Rahman said she's not aware of anything that would lead them to believe the imams were needed here, but they are welcome.

"We would always welcome scholars and people that wanted to work in the community, who are willing to work in a positive way and to take the time to understand the local community and the local culture," she said. 

Egypt's ambassador to New Zealand, Tarek al-Wasimy, said explaining true Islam and promoting its peaceful message is an important first step in protecting the world from militant Islam and terrorism.

He said they don't want anything to happen here like what's happened in Paris, Belgium, Madrid or London.

The imams will spend up to three years working alongside local mosque leaders promoting moderate Islam and tolerance.

One imam is already working at a Wellington mosque and three more Al-Azhar University trained Imams are applying for work visas.