KEY POINTS:
Linda Klenner is "gutted" after missing a call from her husband Bruce, 47, who was freed by his kidnappers early this morning.
Mrs Klenner lost power to her New Plymouth house overnight and only picked the message after it was reconnected.
"I got the message he was all right but I actually hadn't talked to him because as soon as I talk to him I will know he is all right. After 20 years you know," Mrs Klenner said.
But she doubts she will be able to talk to him anytime soon.
Mr Klenner and fellow New Zealander Brent Goddard, 49, were released by their captors, along with three other hostages, after being held for over a week.
The five oil workers, employed by American company Lone Star Drilling were, taken at gunpoint from a Shell Oil drilling rig in the Niger Delta last Wednesday.
Two Nigerian men who worked for Shell were also set free.
Mrs Klenner said she and her family were extremely relieved at the news.
"I'd hate to have gone another few days," Mrs Klenner said.
"It was starting to be a bit draining. I was lucky because I had all the whanau here, masses of support."
Mrs Klenner said her neighbours had been very supportive, dropping food in at the house despite the tornadoes that hit a week ago.
"New Plymouth is going through a rough time at the moment. I really feel for those people at the moment. That's devastating. It's been a hard time for the 'Naki," she said.
But she will not be trying to convince her husband to change careers.
"He'll probably go back and that's all good. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I don't have any problems with it," Mrs Klenner said.
"He's damned good at his job. As long as I see him before the rest of New Zealand does, I'll be quite happy," she said.
- NZPA, NZ HERALD STAFF
