Australia will fast-track the appeals process for New Zealand criminals facing deportation as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull moves to calm cross-Tasman anger over the increasing number of Kiwis locked up in immigration detention. 
Mr Turnbull announced the move after talks with his New Zealand counterpart John Key in Auckland on Saturday, during his first overseas trip since becoming prime minister. But he's made it clear he won't be heeding calls for any special legal exemptions.
Up to 240 New Zealanders are currently being held in Australian detention centres, including 40 on Christmas Island, and it's believed up to 1000 are in the pipeline for deportation - some of whom have lived in Australia most of their lives and have committed only minor crimes.
The growing numbers come as a result of new immigration laws under which people can have their visas cancelled if they've been cumulatively sentenced to 12 months or more in prison.
Mr Turnbull said Mr Key was frank and forthright with his concerns.
"We do understand the problem," Mr Turnbull told reporters. He has asked Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to devote "considerable extra resources" to get the appeals going much faster. But he says he is not considering any changes to the laws.
Mr Turnbull says the numbers in detention have been high because of the law is so new, creating a backlog.
"Those numbers will decline and settle at a relatively low number going forward," he said.
Mr Turnbull and his wife Lucy arrived in Auckland on Friday night, heading straight to a private dinner at a downtown restaurant with Mr Key and his wife Bronagh. Staying in NZ less than 24 hours, the trip has been a gentle introduction to the world of diplomacy.
It is believed to be the first time an Australian prime minister has made New Zealand their first overseas destination.