How grinning Kiwi 'coward puncher' Caleb Maraku was deported

Caleb Maraku outside the Southport Magistrates Court on the Gold Coast after appearing on assault charges. Photo / CHANNEL 9

Grinning coward punch attacker Caleb Maraku has had the smile wiped off his face after being arrested by Australian Border Force and deported back to New Zealand.

And city leaders have commented 'he won't be laughing now' after the Department of Home Affairs officers decided he 'failed the character test' to remain in Australia.

The 19-year-old made headlines across the globe last month after laughing and filming himself in front of the press outside Southport Magistrates Court, moments after pleading guilty to a sickening assault that knocked his victim Taliesin Tardrew-O'Meara out cold.

Maraku received just 12 months probation and had no conviction recorded for the Schoolies attack, which was caught on camera by a passer-by.

However, Maraku was arrested by Australian Border Force officials yesterday morning and was expected to be deported back to New Zealand.

"We can confirm that Mr Maraku was detained ... by the Australian Border Force, ahead of his removal from Australia," an Australian Border Force spokesman said.

According to the Department of Home Affairs website, a visa can be revoked if someone does not meet all the criteria of the character test.

The checklist includes that a visa could be revoked because "your past and present criminal or general conduct shows that you are not of good character".

The ABF action came after nearly 50,000 people signed a petition calling for Maraku to be deported.

19 year old Caleb Maraku punching 19 year old Taliesin O'Meara outside a nightclub in Surfers Paradise. Photo / Video still

"We the community seek to see the deportation of Caleb Maraku as his actions have caused more harm than good in the State of Queensland, Australia," the petition read.

"He not only had cowardly punched an unsuspecting teen in an unprovoked attack but had also disregarded the fact that he was already suspended from Surfers Paradise when the attack took place."

Mudgeeraba MP Ros Bates said the Kiwi was given a slap on the wrist at the time of his sentence but "won't be laughing now".

"I think that no Queenslander was laughing when he was given a slap on the wrist and sent out to potentially do the same thing again," Ms Bates said.

"I think everyone person on the Gold Coast should be happy he is no longer here and I think parents who watched the video of the attack would be sick to the stomach.

"Quite rightly, the community were outraged he got away so lightly and he won't be laughing now."

Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek, who has been outspoken about Maraku's sentence, also welcomed the news of his deportation.

"I think it's the sort of proactive response from politicians that most people don't think happens anymore," he said.

Mr Langbroek said it contrasted to the "soft" approach from Labor and the judiciary