No country immune to terror - Key

Prime Minister John Key says the terror attacks in Norway prove no country is immune to such violence.

Norway is reeling after twin attacks left at least 87 people dead.

A 32-year-old Norwegian, named unofficially by some media outlets as Anders Breivik, is believed to have set off an explosion in central Oslo, then opened fire at a summer camp for young people run by Norway's Labor Party.

The bombing ripped apart buildings which housed Norway's government, killing at least 7.

Although the country's Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg was working from home and uninjured, he had been due to speak at the summer camp.

The shooting attack at the camp left at least 80 people dead, with police saying they couldn't rule out the death toll climbing higher.

Prime Minister John Key said the shootings and bombing showed why small countries such as New Zealand were not immune from terrorism and must play their part in fighting it.

Mr Key, who was meeting with United States President Barack Obama in Washington, at post-meeting press conference expressed his sympathy and concerns for the situation in Norway, which has a population of about 4.5 million -- only slightly bigger than New Zealand's.

"If it is an act of global terrorism then I think what it shows is that no country, large or small, is immune from that risk," Mr Key said.

No New Zealanders are believed to have been injured in terrorist attacks in Norway which have claimed at least 17 lives.

A New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman told NZPA 61 New Zealanders were registered as being in Norway.

"No New Zealanders at this stage are believed to have been caught up in the suspected terrorist attacks," she said.

New Zealanders in Norway were advised to follow the instructions of authorities, and to exercise a "high degree" of security awareness.

- NZPA