Mother admits leaving baby in plane toilet

A woman charged with abandoning her newborn baby on a flight from Samoa to Auckland has been convicted and discharged.

Karolaine Maika, 29, pleaded guilty in Manukau District Court today to the abandonment charge, while police withdrew a charge that she assaulted the baby, since named Grace.

Maika was charged six days after cleaners found the baby in a toilet rubbish bin on a Pacific Blue flight from Apia to Auckland on March 19.

She was on her way to New Zealand with 72 other passengers to work as a kiwifruit picker when her daughter was born. She also has a child living in Samoa.

Judge Heather Simpson said Maika had not expected to give birth on the flight and was under acute stress.

Maika is in the custody of immigration officials pending her likely deportation, while her baby is Child, Youth and Family care.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Gutry told NZPA the girl was also likely to head to Samoa.

Mr Gutry said it would be up to authorities in the two countries to decide arrangements for the girl's care, and what role if any that Maika would have.

- NZPA