The government's confirmed it made a plea to Iran to get a New Zealand couple out of the country, but insist no deal was done to secure their release.
Against official advice, social media personalities Topher Richwhite and his wife Bridget Thackwray crossed the border into Iran, documenting their world travels on Instagram under the name Expedition Earth.
Over the following four months their movements were restricted by Iranian authorities and they were unable to leave without assistance from the New Zealand government.
There are strong travel warnings against entering Iran - where the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini has sparked major protests and civil unrest.
RNZ political editor Jane Patterson has the latest.
