Kiwi fugitive back in Auckland after being caught in Australia

Kris Willoughby managed to leave Auckland and flee to Australia. Photo / Doug Sherring

A fugitive who dodged border controls and fled New Zealand has been caught in Australia and deported.

Kris Willoughby, 30, was freed from prison in September only to defy the conditions of his release and fly from Auckland to Brisbane in late October. A warrant was issued for his arrest and Australian authorities were told.

He boasted on social media he was enjoying a party lifestyle on the Gold Coast.

Willoughby was convicted on charges of wilful damage and receiving tainted property on December 8. Southport Magistrates Court confirmed he was fined A$2500 ($2681) and ordered to return the property to its rightful owner.

But Australian police did not respond to questions over how they failed to detain Willoughby at the time, despite his being a wanted man.

It all ended last Thursday, though, when the fugitive was arrested by police again and locked up.

"He was taken into custody in relation to offences under the Immigration Act, and as such, was handed over to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection [yesterday] morning around 5am," a Queensland Police Service spokesman said.

New Zealand police confirmed he was returned to Auckland yesterday afternoon. He was arrested on arrival for breaching prison release conditions and will appear in the North Shore District Court today.