Error commits NZ to future US wars

A transcribing error by the US State Department has seen Prime Minister John Key committing New Zealand to cooperation with America in future wars.

Mr Key had delivered a brief introduction at the Pacific Islands Forum for US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the weekend.

The State Department transcript recorded Mr Key talking about New Zealand's sacrifices in Afghanistan before pledging the country's support to future conflicts.

"New Zealand warmly supports the United States rebalancing towards the Asia Pacific, and we welcome the opportunity to cooperate with the US in the next conflicts," it said.

However, audio of Mr Key's speech shows the record was in error.

Mr Key was focusing on economic cooperation between New Zealand and the US during the misquoted segment.

"New Zealand warmly supports the United States rebalancing towards the Asia-Pacific and we welcome the opportunities to cooperate further. In that context we discussed our ongoing efforts to negotiate alongside a number of other countries a Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement," he said.

The Prime Minister's office sought - and has now received - a correction to the transcript, although other errors remain, including many references to the remarks being 'inaudible'.