Most NZers want SAS out of Afghanistan - poll

A majority of NZers want Willie Apiata and the SAS out of Afghanistan, according to a new poll. Photo / 3 News

Most New Zealanders want Special Air Service (SAS) troops withdrawn from Afghanistan, a poll has found.

A Research New Zealand poll this month found 77 per cent of the 502 respondents wanted some form of withdrawal of the elite SAS forces, Fairfax Media reported today.

Forty per cent wanted a complete withdrawal and 37 per cent wanted a partial withdrawal. Ten per cent wanted all of the troops to remain.

Otago University international relations Professor Robert Patman told the newspaper the results reflected "deeply held concerns about the welfare of New Zealand troops".

He personally believed New Zealand's continued presence in Afghanistan was important.

In a similar poll last July, 61 per cent of the 500 respondents agreed with the Government's decision to extend New Zealand reconstruction troops' tour of duty in Afghanistan until September this year.

Only four per cent disagreed with the extension.

In the same poll, 47 per cent of respondents said they were in favour of sending SAS troops to Afghanistan, while 44 per cent were against the idea.

Prime Minister John Key said after a recent secret visit to Afghanistan that he would consider extending the SAS presence in the country beyond next March.

There are 71 SAS personnel in Afghanistan.

- NZPA