Australia's public enemy number one is moving home to the Waikato.

And a Waikato University law professor says it's just the start of a wave of imposed homecomings for expat Kiwis booted out under Australia's new "character testing" rules.

﻿Former Tokoroa teen Caleb Maraku, 19, made headlines in Australia after he felled a fellow teen with a single punch while on a night out on the Gold Coast.

Maraku escaped conviction for the attack on November 27, but his actions outside a Gold Coast courtroom caused a public outcry after he was filmed laughing and taking selfies.

READ MORE: * Laughing one-punch attacker arrested ahead of deportation to New Zealand

His actions saw the intervention of the Australian Government, which applied a character test to Maraku's residency status.

Maraku failed the test and on February 16 he was detained by Australian Border Forces after a dawn raid.

The Government has already sent back several New Zealanders, some of whom have been raised in Australia, because of involvement in gangs, violent behaviour, or otherwise come to the attention of authorities.

Now public fears are growing as expat Kiwis return home with a gang patch.

Notorious Australian bikie gang the Comancheros have allegedly gained a foothold in New Zealand as gang members are deported back home.

It is understood Maraku is being detained in an immigration facility in Australia and is expected to return to New Zealand in the next few weeks.



Waikato University law professor Alexander Gillespie said Australia's character-testing rules are the government's way of flexing its muscles against undesirables from overseas.

"I think what you are seeing is Australia is trying to show a very strong line over the type of behaviour it will accept and won't accept from people who aren't Australian citizens," he said.

"I think this young guy [Maraku] has been made an example of as a way to deter some behaviour from other people.

"You've got to look at the Australian policy on refugees as well. They are very strong on showing what they will and will not do and I see this as the beginning of a new trend."

Maraku, originally from Tokoroa, was a rising league star whose skills had been recognised by talent scouts.

Maraku, his two sisters and his parents moved to Australia six years ago.

Maraku attended Keebra Park State High School, a school well known for grooming future NRL players.

A friend who did not want to be named said the 19-year-old was a brilliant athlete.



"He comes from a family who have sport in their DNA and if he didn't enjoy the grog so much, he would have made it," he said

"It's a pity that he has let down his family, his community as well as his country. It's not only his family that have to wear what he has done here, every Kiwi is being tarnished with it. It's a bloody disgrace and for someone who became a father just days before he threw that punch. It's unbecoming of a man."

The friend said that Maraku and his partner had a baby daughter on November 24, four days before the assault.

It is understood that his infant daughter was home when border control stormed Maraku's house.



"His family are lovely people and do not deserve the hate they are getting here [Australia] for what he has done. I know he puts on a tough front, but he will be hurting. He doesn't want to go back to New Zealand. His support system is here."

The friend was unsure whether his family would leave Australia as well.

"It would be a damn shame if they left. They have worked hard and established themselves here," he said.

"But a mother's love for her children has no bounds. He's still her child and you love and support your kids no matter what."

Maraku was out partying in Surfers Paradise with two friends for Schoolies week - a week where Australian students party to celebrate the end of exams - when he assaulted 19-year-old Taliesin Tardrew-O'Meara.

Tardrew-O'Meara escaped serious injury but was knocked unconscious by Maraku in what has been described by Australian media as a cowardly hit.

​Maraku's lack of remorse led to a petition to have him deported from Australia. Nearly 50,000 signed the petition.

A childhood friend of Maraku's who only wanted to be known Steve described him as a quiet boy who was a good sportsman.



"He was really into his league, played for the Sharkies [Pacific Sharks] league club," he said.

"He never struck me as someone who could do what he did, but it's typical of these boys - get a bit of p... in them, then they go he-man."

Asked whether he thought Maraku posed a risk to people in Tokoroa, Steve laughed.

"Doubt it."









