Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has ruled out New Zealand providing help to Kiwi teenagers living rough in Australia after authorities there denied them welfare assistance.
"At the moment there's no country in the world that funds another government to make welfare payments," Ardern told RNZ this morning.
"My understanding is that if they've been there 10 years or more that there should be eligibility. But for this group that's been raised we have an independent youth benefit in New Zealand, we have support we can provide them here. If they're on the streets, that tells me they do not have that network of support. We could provide it here. Unfortunately we cannot provide it in Australia."
Newshub last night reported that nearly 40 organisations had written to Ardern asking for help for New Zealand teenagers living on the streets in Australia.
Some of the teens have reportedly turned to begging or prostitution to live because they are not eligible for Australian welfare payments.