US father charged with abduction after surfacing in NZ

An American man on the run for three years after allegedly abducting his baby daughter from the United States was discovered in Auckland, where he worked in golf course management.

Takapuna police this week arrested Arlen Hill II, understood to be known in New Zealand as Paul Reynolds, on passport charges.

The 33-year-old Missouri man appeared in the North Shore District Court yesterday charged with using a false document to gain entry to New Zealand. He has been remanded in custody until next Thursday.

He also faces charges in the US of child abduction and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

The arrest came nearly three years to the day after Hill allegedly took his then 17-month-old daughter, Taylor Ann Hill, from his estranged wife while exercising visitation rights. An FBI spokesman said the child, now 4, was "healthy and in fine spirits" and being cared for by foster parents in New Zealand. Her mother, Julie Hill, and her family were on their way here.

Hill, a former golf course superintendent in St Louis County, had been working in New Zealand for Recreational Services, which specialises in turf management.

Company director Paul Broom told the Herald yesterday that the arrest had come as a shock.

He had found out from sources he did not wish to disclose of Hill's arrest over alleged immigration irregularities.

Mr Broom said Hill was last at work on Monday. He had given "exemplary service" since being hired last November.

"He was a credit to the company. It comes as a great surprise."

Labour Department deputy secretary Mary Anne Thompson said she was advised this week of Hill's arrest for alleged passport fraud, and that he was facing charges in the US.

Hill's temporary permit had since been revoked as he failed to properly declare information in his immigration application, she said.

Hill had disappeared in June 2002 with his daughter after taking her for a two-week visit.

Authorities believe he spent time in Mexico, Singapore, Spain, Australia and the Philippines.