An Islamic State In Iraq And The Levant (ISIL) Member Waves An ISIL Flag In Raqqa
A member loyal to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) waves an ISIL flag in Raqqa June 29, 2014. Reuters/Stringer

New Zealand is considering changes to its own terror laws as the government mulls the possibility of detaining people suspected of having terrorist links. The Cabinet will meet on Oct. 13 to discuss the urgent changes concerning the issue.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key expressed his concern on the risk of Kiwis travelling to Iraq or Syria to fight alongside members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, then deciding to come home.

According to reports, it is not a considered a criminal offence when a person decides to leave the country and support a terrorist group unlike in Australia where laws have been amended. In New Zealand, Mr Key said passports can only be cancelled for 12 months.

The prime minister revealed a dual citizen of New Zealand and Australia was arrested under Australian law. Mr Key told a TVNZ programme that if the man had been fighting with ISIS and decided to return to New Zealand where he would not be persecuted, he could be identified as a domestic threat.

When asked about the changes the government will consider, Mr Key said the government would have greater powers to detain a person suspected of having terrorist ties. He added that the change would be a "very big step" but he did not say if the government was going to take that step.

However, Mr Key said it would be "odd" for New Zealand to "do nothing" to prevent the growing threat of ISIS. He mentioned the country's options like humanitarian aid, diplomacy, deployment of ground troops and military airlift capability.

Reports said ISIS has moved to control and destabilise Iraq. The group has released beheading videos of their hostages in an effort to provoke the West and recruit more supporters to join their cause. Since launching their social media campaign, many have responded to their call for more fighters.

Mr Key had previously said he did not want to overstate the risk of terrorism in New Zealand which he believed was not as great as Australia. The New Zealand Cabinet is expected to consider the terms of reference for changes to terror laws including the cancellation of passports for more than 12 months.