An accused people smuggler's extradition case is scheduled before the Court of Appeal this week.
Maythem Radhi is accused of being part of an operation 13 years ago in which 353 people drowned after their boat sank off Australia.
Australian authorities want Radhi extradited. Police here support that, and last May won the right to go to the Court of Appeal.
"It's a last-ditch effort by the New Zealand police on behalf of the Australian federal police to get him back to Australia," Radhi's lawyer, Roger Chambers, said. He expects the court to hear his case then reserve its decision over a couple of weeks or longer.
Australian authorities and media are closely watching the hearing, expected to involve complex legal arguments. Other people smugglers are also expected to pay attention. International relations expert associate professor Dr Stephen Hoadley said they would see Australia's stance as a reason to smuggle people here.
In 2012, a district court ruled Radhi to be extraditable. Eleven months later, that was overturned in the High Court because Radhi's charges were seen not to meet the threshold for extradition at the time of his alleged offending.