New Zealand has not been asked to join the fight against Islamic State extremists, Prime Minister John Key says.
The United States is spearheading an air assault on the jihadists' positions in Iraq and Syria.
About 40 countries, including several from the Middle East, have now joined the US action against IS though most will fly missions only in Iraq.
Australia has warplanes on standby, while a contingent of Special Forces is ready to advise Iraq and Kurdish forces fighting the extremists.
BREAKING-- Artilerry fire by #ISIS just hit a Kurdish village in Suruc, on the other side of border "@FaysalSaryldz: pic.twitter.com/MDDfjx9Oxi"
— Amed News Agency (@AJANSAMED) September 28, 2014
Mr Key told Radio New Zealand's Morning Report the United States has not come to New Zealand for help.
“At this point the Americans haven't come to New Zealand and asked us for any contribution beyond what we've been doing on the humanitarian side. Mr Key said he had doubts about whether the air campaign would be successful, and a cautious approach was needed.
