The Australian government is seeking legal advice following the release of a 17-year-old Kiwi who was being held in a Melbourne detention centre for adults.
The teenage boy was awaiting a deportation hearing and has now been granted a visa to stay.
Until Monday, media could not get close to the Kiwi minor who had been kept in the facility deep inside a military barracks.
But once the boy won his release, former TV3 journalist Rebekah Holt went to meet him. She says he was relieved when he learned he could finally leave.
"When he found out he was going to be released, he messaged me and said, 'Call me and come and get me.'
"He wanted to get out. He wanted to go and see his family, because he's been terribly homesick."
Earlier this month, Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters said holding the teenage boy in adult detention contravened the United Nations rights of a child.
"This person is regarded as a child or a minor, and I'm just reminding the Australians you're a signatory, live up to it."
But Australian Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton disagrees.
"Well I reject that, and Australia has obligations which we meet, and my primary obligation is to the Australian public, to keep Australians safe."
The Home Affairs Minister hasn't forgotten about the boy he wanted to put on a plane back to New Zealand.
A spokesman for Peter Dutton said the "decision has been handed down and the minister is taking legal advice".
The boy can't be named, because he's a minor and heavy suppressions are in place about the case. It's understood he was in juvenile detention after non-violent offending and was taken to the adult facility after serving his time.
Ms Holt says he was taken to the airport to catch a flight to Sydney.
"He's a very polite, charming, smart young man, and it was lovely to meet him in person finally."
Mr Peters declined to talk to Newshub, but did talk to Sky News Australia, telling journalists New Zealand's diplomats have been doing their job. He says New Zealand should not be putting up with this sort of behaviour from Australia.
The teenager's Australian visa has been granted and he's now with his family in Sydney again.
Newshub.
