Immigration Minister Peter Dutton is standing by his decision to revoke the visa of a Maori infantryman who was decorated for his service in Afghanistan and has no criminal record in Australia or New Zealand.

The decision has prompted supporters to set up a petition calling for the decision to be overturned and complaints in the New Zealand Parliament.

Marama Fox, a member of the Maori Party, described the decision as abhorrent and embarrassing, declaring: "I think the Australian government has forgotten what the Anzac spirit actually means. They are treating Kiwis in Australia as less than second-class citizens."

Ms Fox raised the issue with New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key in their Parliament on Tuesday and was planning to table details of the man's war record on Wednesday. Mr Key said he was unaware of the case.