After seven long days and nights, the family of baby Kahu Durie can only hope and pray, clinging to the belief she is still alive.
Every night, as they have done since the baby was kidnapped at gunpoint from her mother, Donna Hall, last Saturday, MsHall's whanau gather at Wahiao Marae in Whakarewarewa Village, Rotorua, to pray. To be together.
"We are all very distraught," said a spokeswoman for the hapu.
In the Manawatu, karakia (prayers) are being said by Ngati Raukawa for the family of High Court judge Eddie Durie.
And on a quiet street in Lower Hutt, the family wait for word.
Publicly, the police are saying little about the progress of their inquiry.
But Kahu's godmother, MP and former Cabinet minister Georgina te Heuheu, said the family had an "unswerving" faith the adopted baby would be returned.
"She's special to the whole family and they hold on to that as a symbol of hope and an unswerving faith in God as well."
The family had come together for comfort. "This is a large, supportive family and they are supporting each other well."
But the strain of not knowing and of being in the public eye can take its toll.
This week, the family posted a note on their gate asking friends and whanau to hold off visits until "matters improve".
It was signed "the Brady Bunch", their nickname for the blended family of the children of Eddie Durie and Donna Hall from previous relationships.
Last night, the family were still keeping their watch.
