A Far North man has been charged with murder following the discovery of an Auckland man's body near a popular hiking track in Northland.

There are calls for the Australian government to strengthen laws against parents who take children overseas without permission.

The missing children's group that last week reconnected American kidnap victim Carlina White with her real parents says calls to its helpline doubled after the news made headlines.

A man will appear in court tomorrow in connection with an alleged assault and abduction on Great Barrier Island.