Andrew Little wants a proper discussion with Australia over its deportation regime.

The Justice Minister's in a war of words with his Australia's Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, calling their policies venal and inconsistent

Peter Dutton was quick to strike back.

"I hope Andrew Little reflects a little more on the relationship between Australia and New Zealand where we do a lot of the heavy lifting. We intercept boats, we stop them from making their way to New Zealand."

But Andrew Little told Mike Hosking he's standing by his comments.

"We've got to get this right, and I think it would be fertile ground for a quick discussion between governments to sort out some of these basic rules."

LISTEN TO ANDREW LITTLE TALK WITH MIKE HOSKING ABOVE