Joel Morehu-Barlow pleaded guilty to five fraud and three drug offences in Queensland, Australia in 2013.

A Kiwi fraudster who falsely claimed to be a Tahitian prince and stole more than $16 million in public money in Australia has been sent back to New Zealand.

In 2013, Joel Morehu-Barlow was jailed for 14 years for pocketing A$16.69m (NZ$17.4m) from his employer, Queensland Health, between 2007 and 2011.

Morehu-Barlow had been serving his sentence at the high-security Wolston Correctional Centre south-west of Brisbane until he was deported on Thursday, Australian newspaper The Courier-Mail reported.

Queensland Corrective Services confirmed to Stuff that Morehu-Barlow, whose legal name is Hohepa Hikairo Morehu-Barlow, was no longer in its care and directed queries to the Australian Border Force.

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New Zealand Corrections' acting deputy national commissioner Steve Gibson said Morehu-Barlow is subject to a Returning Offenders Order (ROO), which means the department will monitor him when he arrives.

ROOs apply to certain criminals who have spent a year or more in prison in another country, regardless of whether they are deported, removed, or leave voluntarily.

People subject to ROOs are supervised similarly to offenders who are released on parole from New Zealand prison. Corrections staff ensure the person abides by standard release conditions.

Gibson said Corrections was unable to provide more information on Morehu-Barlow's situation because of its obligations under the Privacy Act.

The 44-year-old, originally from Thames, would be escorted onto a plane by Australian Border Force officers, according to The Courier-Mail. Stuff has contacted Australian Border Force for comment.

Morehu-Barlow used the proceeds from his crimes to fund a lavish lifestyle in Brisbane.

After his arrest in 2011, Australian police discovered a treasure-trove of luxury items fit for royalty inside his waterfront home, including an iPod engraved with "HRH" – the title for His Royal Highness, 30 pairs of Louis Vuitton shoes and six litres of Hennessy Cognac, valued at $25,000.

A crown was among more than 1000 of Morehu-Barlow's belongings which were auctioned to recover some of the money he embezzled while working as a funds manager at Queensland Health.

However, even after two of Morehu-Barlow's properties were sold, more than $10m remained unaccounted for.

FAIRFAX NZ Two 18 carat gold Mont Blanc pen were among the treasure-trove of items accumulated by convicted fraudster Hohepa Morehu-Barlow.

When his extravagant lifestyle raised questions from colleagues, Morehu-Barlow told them he was a Tahitian prince.

He later pleaded guilty to five fraud and three drug offences. He has been eligible for parole since December 2016.

After his arrest, it was revealed that Morehu-Barlow had lied about his tertiary qualifications and had committed fraud in New Zealand.

According to The Courier-Mail Morehu-Barlow will live with his mother upon his return to New Zealand.

FAIRFAX NZ These statues belonged to Joel Morehu-Barlow before he was arrested for fraud in Brisbane.

WHAT LIFE IS LIKE FOR RETURNING OFFENDERS – LIKE MOREHU-BARLOW – IN NZ

Gibson said Corrections staff and other public servants meet returning offenders when they arrive in the country.

Along with Customs, police, and the health and social development ministries, Corrections helps people subject to ROOs reintegrate into New Zealand.

That can include support to find accommodation and employment, case management and providing food, clothing and public transport cards.

Gibson said Corrections can apply to the court for a returning offender to be subject to further special conditions.

"Applications for special conditions are individually drafted on a case-by-case basis, to address the returning offender's specific offending behaviour, and giving consideration to their circumstances and offending history."