A Massey University professor says New Zealand is becoming a "dumping ground" for Australian bikie gangsters.

Australia has deported about 1300 New Zealand citizens since 2015 under harsh new immigration standards implemented there in 2014.

Under the standards, Kiwis living there can be deported once they receive a sentence of 12 months or more, or if they have an association to a known criminal group.

Professor Paul Spoonley of Massey University this morning told TVNZ 1's Breakfast programme this has led to a high number of criminals being sent to New Zealand - where they are likely to re-offend.

"We're starting to import biker gangs from Australia," he said.

"We're becoming a dumping ground for those criminals really and we're struggling.

"If you look at the rates once they get back here, in terms of them committing crimes here, we've got an issue.

"Many of the people being deported have no association with New Zealand."

Professor Spoonley said political efforts from Jacinda Ardern, Andrew Little and Winston Peters had all proven fruitless.

"We've been the good guys in this and at the moment the big brother is just saying 'no, go away'," he said.

"They [Australia] really need to come to the table but I see no signs of that at the moment with this government in Australia.

"The prime minister, although he's from a more liberal part of the spectrum ... has not taken a backward step."

Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton yesterday stepped down after unsuccessfully challenging Malcolm Turnbull for the Prime Minister role.

Mr Dutton had been the face of Australia's hard-line immigration stance, and immigration lawyer Greg Barns told RNZ he believes the new Australian immigration minister could provide a window of opportunity for negotiation - "depending on who becomes minister".

However, Victoria University professor of strategic studies Robert Ayson told RNZ he was doubtful anything would change in the wake of Dutton's resignation.

"Even though Malcolm Turnbull is from the moderate side of the Liberal Party he's needed to take a hard line on some of these issues for domestic political reasons," Mr Ayson said.

Police in New Zealand have noted Australian bikie gangs are setting up new chapters here after being deported, including gangs like the Bandidos and Comancheros.

An Australian member of the gang Comancheros on Instagram earlier this year saying the gang's presence in New Zealand is getting "stronger and stronger".

Police have responded by actively targeting the Australian gangs here with their National Organised Crime Group.

Commissioner Mike Bush said in March that "organised criminals with transnational ties are operating in the region".