Police defend decision not to publicise ransom demand

7.40am

Police say baby Kahurautete Durie's life would have been in danger if they had disclosed that a $3 million ransom demand was made for her return.

The baby was found alone and unharmed when police raided a house in Taumarunui in the central North Island early yesterday evening.

A 54-year-old Taumarunui man was taken into custody a short time later, and was placed under arrest following questioning. He was to appear in Taumarunui District Court today charged with kidnapping.

Police were likely to request a remand to Lower Hutt District Court, a police spokeswoman told NZPA. Further charges were likely to be laid, she said.

Eight-month-old Kahu Durie was reunited with her parents last night.

She was flown by police helicopter Eagle to Wellington where she was met by her parents, lawyer Donna Hall and High Court judge Eddie Durie.

Inquiry head Detective Inspector Stuart Wildon told a press conference last night that Kahu had been checked by a doctor and appeared well.

The family was under police protection.

Police also revealed last night that a $3 million ransom demand was made "some days ago" but they did not disclose the demand because it may have endangered Kahu's life.

Speculation had been rife about possible motives since Kahu was snatched by a gun-wielding man wearing a balaclava in St Albans Grove in Lower Hutt about 11.30am last Saturday as she was being walked in a pushchair by Ms Hall and her two nieces.

Detective Superintendent Larry Reid confirmed a ransom demand for $3m was made but no money was paid. He said police would have been able to pay the ransom if they'd had to.

He said the ransom demand was in writing but would not confirm when the demand was made, other than to say it was "some days ago".

Asked why the demand wasn't made public, Mr Reid said: "It was something that we didn't need to tell you at the time. The child's life was at stake.

"It was a very, very serious incident and to even disclose that kind of information at that time would have been totally irresponsible if not dangerous."

Police Commissioner Rob Robinson, also at the press conference, said the decisions by the inquiry team were "absolutely spot on".

"Because of (Mr Wildon's) absolute commitment to baby Kahu's health and safety, it was needed to play with a very straight bat and this outcome has justified that approach, and I think we should be celebrating Kahu being safe home," he said.

Mr Wildon said there was still a lot of work to be done in the case.

"Our focus must now be on bringing those responsible before the justice system ... clearly there has been a lot of work been done over the past few days that I have not been able to discuss with you. This is because baby Kahu's safety was our primary consideration.

"To have disclosed some details could potentially have compromised her safety and risked her life.

"It has been difficult for me to withhold some aspects from you but I am confident that when the public of New Zealand learn the details of some of our activities, they will appreciate that our approach was the only appropriate one."

Mr Wildon said the arrested man was found "as a result of a number of inquiries we have been conducting this week".

Police were being sent to Taumarunui for further investigations.

"By no means is this jigsaw puzzle complete. We've certainly put some big pieces together but there's more to do."

Mr Robinson paid tribute to Kahu's whanau, without whose trust, confidence and support that the baby would be found the police's job would have been much more difficult.

"Our thoughts are with them. It's wonderful to know that they've got smiles on their faces and they're back together."

Mr Wildon said he and other inquiry team staff personally told Ms Hall and Justice Durie at Lower Hutt police station yesterday evening that their baby was safe.

"Their reaction was the same as parents the world over. They've been through a tremendously emotional time and are just so grateful to have their wee daughter back.

"From a police perspective it was the best result we could ever wish to have," he said.

Through police, the couple last night thanked everyone for the support the family had been given.

"Words cannot express what we truly feel. Thank you so very much," they said in a statement.

The couple, together with their daughter, were to hold a press conference in Lower Hutt later this morning.

Police found the car allegedly used in the kidnapping in Lower Hutt earlier yesterday evening.

They had offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of the two-tone blue and silver Mitsubishi car.

District Commander Superintendent John Kelly said there was still a police inquiry under way in Lower Hutt into the murder of Kate Alkema and he asked people to spare a thought for her family.

Mr Wildon said police had not discounted the possibility her murder and the kidnapping were related.

- NZPA, HERALD STAFF

Full coverage: Baby Kahu kidnapping


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