Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has arrived in Auckland for his meeting with his New Zealand counterpart, John Key.
Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull arrives in Auckland with his wife, Lucy. Photo: POOL / Michael Bradley
Mr Turnbull was met at Auckland Airport by the New Zealand High Commissioner to Australia, Chris Seed.
He will have a private dinner with Mr Key tonight before more formal talks tomorrow.
The talks are expected to be dominated by the deportation issue, with about 200 New Zealanders with criminal convictions being held in Australian detention centres waiting to be sent back home.
Mr Key has said he will ask for special dispensation for New Zealanders but Mr Turnbull - who is making his first overseas visit as a prime minister - is under pressure to remain firm.
The Australian and New Zealand Green Parties have said they will be lodging a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission about the detention and treatment of New Zealanders in Australia.
The New Zealand Labour Party has also said New Zealanders facing deportation in Australia are being treated unfairly and need Mr Key to argue their case.
A small protest was held in Wellington today ahead of Mr Turnbull's visit.
Protesters calling for better treatment for New Zealanders convicted in Australia arrive at Parliament. Photo: RNZ / Michael Cropp
The group started at the Australian High Commission (pictured) and marched from there to Parliament. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly