The Government has promised to look into pleas for asylum by a group of Afghans working with Kiwi troops in Afghanistan.
ONE News last night revealed a number of interpreters fear they will be killed once coalition forces withdraw.
About five have so far approached Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman for help, saying they fear being killed by the Taliban once coalition forces withdraw.
Today Coleman said: "I've said to them, 'look there's no guarantees,' but we have to assess the risk and look at it and do the right thing by these people."
Immigration law experts say the interpreters have two ways to apply for asylum in New Zealand. They can either join millions of others seeking refugee status through the United Nations or appeal directly to Immigration Minister Nathan Guy for what is known as a "special direction".
Immigration and refugee lawyer Richard McLeod says he thinks the Government should act.
"In this case, clearly these men are at risk if the services pull out. They'll be targeted and persecuted."
But with up to 100 Afghans that could be eligible, some are warning the Government.
"New Zealand has to be very careful here not to send the signal that it has no confidence in the future security arrangements after it leaves," said Robert Patman, Professor of International Relations at Otago University.
It is an issue the immigration minister may need to deal with sooner rather than later with the Government now considering withdrawing from Afghanistan in the middle of next year.