The wife and three kids of a man being deported to Kiribati, have been given an extra week in New Zealand.

A bid to keep Ioane Teitiota in New Zealand on humanitarian grounds was rejected by Associate Immigration Minister Craig Foss last night.

He's being flown out this morning.

His wife, Angua Erika said she asked Immigration New Zealand for an extension so she can make arrangements for herself and her New Zealand born children.

They're now flying out next Wednesday, and luckily have somewhere to go when they get there.

"We can stay with my family there in Kiribati."

"We feel sad but we can't do anything else, for me and my husband it's okay but we're just concerned about our kids."

Labour's Phil Twyford described the situation as sad.

"They're going to go back to a pretty tough environment. There are big public health problems there, contamination of public water supplies."

Fala Haulangi organised a meeting where community members spoke out in support of Mr Teitiota.

"He is really grateful for everyone who has shown support."