The issue has been controversial in Australia.

The offer to take 150 refugees currently detained on Manus Island and Nauru stands, the prime minister says.

Jacinda Ardern said she wanted to reconfirm New Zealand's offer to Australia to take 150 refugees who had been subject to offshore processing legislation.

"New Zealand's offer comes from within our existing refugee quota and applies to refugees on both Manus Island and Nauru."

NICK MCKIM Manus Island photo tweeted by Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim

Ardern said she expected the situation on Manus Island to be discussed during her meeting with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Sunday, adding that she intended to reaffirm the offer when they met.

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"I acknowledge that, while New Zealand has not had to contend with these issues on our shores, it's hard to ignore the human face of this situation and nor should it be ignored.

SUPPLIED Iranian asylum seeker Hamed Shamshiripour was found dead on Manus Island on 7 August, 2017.

"New Zealand will also maintain its right to use its robust screening processes for the Refugee Quota programme, regardless of the origin of the refugees.

"This will safeguard against any security concerns."

The Australian government has argued PNG should not deal with New Zealand because that would open a backdoor path into Australia.

The issue of refugees kept in Australia's overseas detention centres had flared up again, after Australia officially closed the Manus Island centre on Tuesday, and posted a notice to say the facility would be handed over to the PNG Defence Forces.

Australian authorities have cut off electricity and the detainees have no drinking water. But 600 people have barricaded themselves inside, claiming they would be exposed to greater harm at the three other facilities where they were expected to relocate to on the island's main town of Lorengau.