A soldier from New Zealand died in Afghanistan outside combat Tuesday, prompting an investigation as initial reports indicated the death did not involve anyone else.

Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman told New Zealand Herald the soldier's death did not happen during a combat operation. It seemed there was no one else involved in the incident, the minister said.

"The death was not the result of combat action and does not appear to involve the actions of another party," said Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman.

The Herald reported that initial official statements indicate the investigation is directed at finding out whether the soldier died of suicide. The Herald learned the fatality had been rushed to the hospital but died there at around 11 in the morning.

The soldier, who was serving with the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamiyan, was reportedly several hours from the team's headquarters. He had been in Bamiyan since September last year, and was the fifth member of the New Zealand Defence Force to die in Afghanistan.

Dr Coleman expressed his condolences to the soldier's family and loved ones.

Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Rhys Jones also extended his sympathies to those whom the man had left behind.

"Our soldiers continue to acquit themselves magnificently and the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team continues to do great work in Bamiyan Province," he told the media.

A press conference about the unfortunate incident is expected to be held in Wellington today. It is not yet clear when the soldier's body would be flown home.