Que to fly back to NZ

AUCKLAND: The little girl who had been missing at sea with her father for almost a month is due back in New Zealand in the next few days.

Que Langdon (6) remains with her mother, Ariane Wyler, after the pair were reunited in Australia.

They came together at Ulladulla, where Que and her father, Alan Langdon, arrived last Wednesday after setting sail from Kawhia Harbour on December 17.

Childcare Recovery Australia worker Col Chapman yesterday said the mother and daughter were enjoying their time together with family and friends in Melbourne and were waiting to finalise travel documents so they could fly to New Zealand.

Mr Chapman, spokesman for Ms Wyler, said: ‘‘It is [a waiting game] at the moment.

‘‘And it’s frustrating, very frustrating, because now it’s back in the hands of lawyers and courts.’’

Mr Langdon (49) has been summonsed to appear in the Te Awamutu District Court next week, after New Zealand Police charged him with taking a child from New Zealand.

He has denied sailing across the Tasman to avoid an ongoing custody battle between him and Ms Wyler, saying he had been Que’s primary carer since birth.

Mr Chapman said Ms Wyler would eventually return to her home in Nelson with Que.

It is hoped they would be able to attend Mr Langdon’s court appearance, Mr Chapman said.

‘‘She’s hoping for 5050 equal shared care. It’s what she’s wanted all along.

‘‘She’s back in Australia with her daughter and she hopes to return to Nelson [with her daughter] in the coming days.

Que again spent the day at a playground with friends.

She was yet to speak to her father, after her reunion with her mother on Sunday morning, but was due to phone him last night.

‘‘We’re now involved and we’re giving Ariane advice. We’re explaining to her how it is . . . and that Alan is her ex, not Que’s ex — and that’s the way the two of them have got to understand this.

‘‘Ariane is very fair and even-minded. She doesn’t want sole custody, she wants shared custody,’’ he said.

‘‘She knows how damaging it is to lose a parent or have a parent taken away.

‘‘That little girl needs both parents, whether they like each other or not.

‘‘She’s going to need them both . . .’’