Newborn in limbo

The newborn baby abandoned by its mother in an aircraft toilet is trapped between nations and might stay in New Zealand.

A Child, Youth and Family spokesperson told the Herald on Sunday the legal issues surrounding the child's care were a "grey area".

The child was found in the toilet of a Pacific Blue flight that landed at Auckland airport from Samoa on Thursday. It has been reported that the 30-year-old mother gave birth after the plane had landed, and the baby was found in a rubbish bin. Police say the mother will face charges.

The spokesperson said CYF was able to take the baby into custody if it was deemed necessary. However, decisions about its future would be "complicated".

CYF would work with Immigration New Zealand to establish what was best for the child. If the mother did not want to raise the child, CYF and Immigration would decide whether it would be put up for adoption in Samoa or would remain here. The baby would need to obtain New Zealand residency if it was to be adopted by New Zealanders.

The mother and child - thought to be a girl - are both in Middlemore Hospital. It was reported that nursing staff were encouraging the mother to breastfeed.

Samoan lawyer Olinda Woodroffe said she was concerned the woman would be "forced to make decisions she would later regret".