A man who donated his sperm to a friend with the belief he could play a role in the child's life has won a High Court fight sparked by the mother's decision to move to New Zealand with their biological child.

The man says he fathered the girl on the understanding he would have a role in her life. The father has been locked in a dispute with the girl's mother since she planned to move to New Zealand. The decision by the court overturns an appeal the girl's mother and her wife won and reaffirms an earlier ruling that ordered they remain in Australia and consult him on major parenting decisions.

The court heard the man, given the pseudonym Robert, initially agreed to donating his sperm to his friend, and was of the belief he would be involved in his child's life.

The girl was conceived in 2006 and in the intervening years he maintained a close relationship with her, introducing her to his extended family and volunteering at her school canteen.

Both the girl and her sister, who is not related to Robert, call him "daddy".

The legal fight began when the mother and her same-sex partner, given the pseudonyms Susan and Margaret, decided to move to New Zealand, a decision Robert challenged in the Family Court.