Some down-on-their-luck Maori living in Australia say they have considered pretending they are refugees to get better treatment.
Iwi in Aus campaign leader Erina Anderson says many people have told her they are so desperate for money they are tempted to fake their immigration status.
New Zealanders in Australia continue to question the 2001 immigration law that blocks them from certain benefits.
Ms Anderson says that in comparison to New Zealand migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers get better treatment and can get welfare benefits more easily.
