The Defence Minister is playing down reports that New Zealand troops in Iraq are returning home earlier than planned.
The 61 Army engineers have been confined to their barracks in Basra for the last five weeks because of the worsening security situation there.
Defence Minister Mark Burton says preparations are underway to get the engineers home.
He says it is simply because New Zealand has come to the end of its year-long commitment to provide aide and assistance in Iraq.
Burton says an exact date has not been set for the troops' return.
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