Prime Minister John Key says there are indications that a ship carrying dozens of asylum-seekers was on its way to New Zealand.
Mr Key says Indonesia authorities have intercepted and detained a vessel carrying nearly 80 people from Sri Lanka.
He says there were New Zealand flags and signs on board, indicating they may have been making their way to the country.
Mr Key says it is only a matter of time before large vessels capable of navigating to New Zealand will make it.
