A top secret trip to Iraq

Political editors accompanied prime minister John Key on a secretly arranged visit to New Zealand forces in Iraq this week.

The three-day trip was shrouded in secrecy because of security concerns, and Radio New Zealand agreed to report the trip only once Mr Key had left the country.

John Key on the NZ Hercules flying from Dubai to Baghdad.

John Key is greeted at Baghdad airport by New Zealand ambassador to Iraq James Monroe.

Iraqi troops training.

Iraqi troops training.

Iraqi troops training.

Key talks with Iraqi troops and the New Zealand trainers.

Iraqi troops training.

Iraqi troops training trauma care.

Life in Camp Taji.

Life in Camp Taji.

Iraqi troops.

Life in Camp Taji.

Key talks with Iragi troops and the New Zealand trainers.

Key talks with Iragi troops and the New Zealand trainers.

Life in Camp Taji.

He is the first prime minister to visit troops in Taji Camp, which is surrounded by pockets of IS sympathisers and activity.

But it's not the first such hush-hush trip, and not the first time some journalists have voiced concern about the coverage of them.

Mediawatch looks at how the trip was reported here in New Zealand.