Tot allegedly dangled from ninth-floor balcony

Housing NZ apartment in central Auckland. Photo / Janna Dixon

A young relative of Kiwi musicians Bic and Boh Runga is in Child, Youth and Family care after allegedly being dangled from a ninth-floor balcony.

An Auckland man is in custody after allegedly holding 18-month-old Ananja Iraia-Runga over the balcony of his Housing NZ apartment in central Auckland. Ananja's father, Otis, is the son of a cousin of the musician sisters.

Graeme Paul "Brownie" Brown, 54, appeared in Auckland District Court yesterday facing charges of threatening to kill and assaulting the tot.

Brown, who is not related to the child, is alleged to have lifted Ananja's pram over the balcony on Friday lunchtime and threatened to drop her.

He is also charged with assaulting the baby's mother, Adeline Iraia.

Tenants at Brown's apartment block yesterday told the Herald on Sunday he had taken in the baby and her parents about three months ago. They believe the family had outstayed their welcome.

One said police had been called about noon on Friday.

The Rungas' agent Campbell Smith did not respond to a request for comment.

CYF regional director Grant Bennett confirmed the child was being looked after by the department. "We will work with the family to ensure the ongoing safety of this child. We always urge people who have concerns about the safety of any child to contact us."

Brown was denied bail and was remanded in custody to reappear in Auckland District Court tomorrow.