They have started a Givealittle page and appealed to the public to help them pay for legal representation to "bring this dad, father-in-law, grandfather and all-round good guy home".
High-profile human rights lawyer Dr Tony Ellis, who represents murderer Phillip Smith who skipped the country last month while on temporary release from prison, said de Malmanche was looking at a hefty legal bill.
"Generally there are specialist criminal lawyers who deal with the death penalty. It is very different, many don't want to practise in that area," he told the Herald.
"In some places like the US there is always a range of death penalty lawyers from the free - [there is an] international requirement to provide free services for death penalty - to the 'Rolls-Royce' service which would cost a small fortune.
"Death penalty cases would also cover appeals so would be expensive - $100,000 plus."
By last night de Malmanche's family had raised just over $4000. They believe he is the victim of a "sophisticated" internet dating scam.
"We believe Tony has been taken advantage of ... and used as a drug mule where 'they' have forced him to carry drugs into Bali," they told the Herald earlier this week.
They have vowed not to give up, and said they wanted to raise as much cash as possible to ensure he had access to food and medication while in custody in Bali.
Prisoners at both the Denpasar police station, where de Malmanche is being detained, and the notorious Kerobokan Jail, where he will inevitably be transferred to wait for trial, are given little in the way of food and other necessities.
They must rely on their families to fund essential supplies. De Malmanche takes pain killers for serious permanent injuries he suffered in a tree-felling accident while at work in 2002.
His family are concerned that he will be in pain and without food and clothing.
People have donated amounts from a few dollars to $500 to de Malmanche's legal fund so far.
"I met Tony a few years ago now and he is 100 per cent one of life's beautiful people - definitely worth fighting for every step of the way," wrote Tamara McRae.
One anonymous donor wrote: "I genuinely believe Tony was set up and I hope justice is done and he's home soon."
To donate: www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/antonydemalmanchelegalfund
Facing death
Antony Glen de Malmanche
• 52-year-old beneficiary from Wanganui.
• Arrested last Monday at Denpasar's international airport after travelling from Hong Kong.
• Allegedly found with 1.7kg of methamphetamine in his backpack.
• Family claim he has been set up in a honey trap internet dating scam.
• Faces death by firing squad if convicted of drug trafficking.
Peter Gardner
• 25-year-old Kiwi builder who has been living in Australia.
• Charged with trying to smuggle 36kg of methamphetamine out of China with his girlfriend Kalynda Davis on November 5.
• The drugs were allegedly found as they tried to check in luggage at Guangzhou airport.
• If convicted the couple face the death penalty.
