There are growing calls for the New Zealand government to take action over the treatment of Kiwis held in Australian detention centres.
It comes after the death two weeks ago of New Zealand-born Junior Togatuki, who was being held in solitary confinement in Goulburn's Supermax Prison in NSW.
He was waiting to be deported to New Zealand, after finishing a prison sentence for armed robbery.
The 23-year-old, who left New Zealand when he was four, was suffering from schizophrenia and anxiety, and his death has been ruled a suicide.
Togatuki's sister Jean wants answers.
"It makes me wonder how much they're failing other people, not just my brother," she told 3News.
Nearly 200 New Zealanders are being held in Australian detention centres facing deportation and hundreds more have had their visas cancelled.
There's been an increase in numbers after a law change which means anyone who isn't an Australian citizen and who has served a jail sentence of 12 months or more can be deported.
Many Kiwis have already been deported, and the government has been asking for information about those who could be on their way here soon.
Prime Minister John Key, who is in New York, says he intends raising the broader issues of deportations and detentions with Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
But a face-to-face meeting is unlikely to happen in the near future, with Mr Turnbull not in New York for the United Nations General Assembly this week.
Mr Key told reporters Foreign Minister Murray McCully is raising the matter with his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop.
Labour leader Andrew Little says Kiwis being held in detention centres are being denied basic rights.
"It's time our government stopped sitting back and watching this appalling treatment of New Zealand citizens, and sought an urgent clarification of Australia's policy," he said.
"It has the potential to damage the special relationship between Australia and New Zealand."
An Australian government spokesman said there is "ongoing contact" between the Australian and New Zealand governments at various levels.
* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline's 24-hour telephone counselling service on 0800 543 354, or the Samaritans on 0800 726 666.
