Jacinda Ardern has unloaded on Scott Morrison for what she sees as an abrogation of responsibly to a citizen who left Australia to allegedly align with ISIS.
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In the latest attack on her Australian counterpart, the New Zealand prime minister spoke tersely of her frustrations with Mr Morrison, saying "New Zealand frankly is tired of having Australia export its problems".
Ms Ardern's blast came after a woman and two children were reportedly picked up by Turkish officials for illegally entering that country from Syria.
Turkey claims the woman is an ISIS terrorist with NZ citizenship.
Ms Ardern said the woman was a dual Australian and NZ national until Australia revoked its citizenship last year.
Plainly furious, Ms Ardern said Australia "did not act in good faith" in cancelling citizenship.
"They left New Zealand at the age of six, were resident in Australia from that time, became an Australian citizen, left from Australia to Syria, and travelled on Australian passport," Ms Ardern said in Wellington on Tuesday.
"Our very strong view on behalf of New Zealand and New Zealanders, was that this individual was clearly most appropriately dealt with by Australia.
"I raised that issue directly with Prime Minister Morrison and asked that we work together on resolving the issue.
"I was then informed in the following year that Australia had unilaterally revoked the citizenship of the individual.
"You can imagine my response."
Mr Morrison, speaking at a press conference in Canberra an hour later, said the pair would discuss the issue in a phone call later on Tuesday.
The Australian prime minister was unapologetic for stripping citizenship from the 26-year-old woman.
"It's my job as the Australian prime minister to put Australia's national security interests first," he said.
"The legislation that was passed through our parliament automatically cancels the citizenship of a dual citizen where they've been engaged in terrorist activities of this nature.
"We do not want to see terrorists who fought with terrorism organisations enjoying privileges of citizenship which I think they forfeit the second they engage as an enemy of our country."
The issue recalls the other great strain on the trans-Tasman relationship - Australia's practice of deporting criminals who hold Kiwi passports to New Zealand, even if they hold no established links to the country.
New Zealanders believe that practice contributes to crime at home.
Moreso, it shows strain at a personal level between Ms Ardern and Mr Morrison.
Ms Ardern said she told Mr Morrison directly that should the woman require public support from New Zealand, she wouldn't attempt to be diplomatic.
"We have continually raised with Australia our view that the decision was wrong," she said.
"My concern, however, ... is that we have a situation where someone is now detained with two small children.
"If the shoe were on the other foot, we would take responsibility. That would be the right thing to do. And I ask of Australia that they do the same."
Australian Associated Press
