Most New Zealanders want Special Air Service (SAS) troops withdrawn from Afghanistan, a poll has found.

NZ SAS troops took part in an operation in Kabul that saw a terror cell busted and a quarter tonne of explosives seized, John Key told media during his secret visit to Afghanistan.

Wearing body armour and a helmet, Prime Minister John Key has spent the past three days in war-torn Afghanistan on a top-secret visit to NZ troops.

Corporal Apiata, who had been serving with the SAS in Afghanistan, touched down at Auckland International Airport at 5.15am yesterday.

John Key has revealed that 15 New Zealand SAS troops in Afghanistan were involved in a gun fight with "insurgents" on Friday.

The blanket secrecy over SAS operations has been ditched, with the Defence Force revealing that elite troopers recently helped capture bomb-makers in Kabul.

The Government to reveal details of SAS deployments overseas after row over photos in Herald and other media.

Prime Minister John Key yesterday defended his decision to reveal the identity of SAS soldier Willie Apiata

Prime Minister John Key stands by his decision to reveal that one of the SAS soldiers in a controversial photograph this week was Victoria Cross winner Corporal Willie Apiata.

John Key identifies one of the SAS soldiers in a photo published today as Victoria Cross winner Corporal Willie Apiata.

The US will not ask New Zealand to send more troops to Afghanistan as part of Barack Obama's final surge, its new ambassador to Wellington says.

Barack Obama has announced he will send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan despite growing pessimism about the war.

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to visit New Zealand early next year.