Alan Langdon has been charged with taking his six-year-old daughter Que illegally from New Zealand, as she is reunited with her mother in Australia

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

A man who sailed to Australia with his six-year-old daughter on a 6.4-metre catamaran has been charged by New Zealand police.

Alan Langdon, 46, and his daughter, Que, sailed into Ulladulla on the New South Wales south coast last week, almost a month after they were seen leaving Kawhia Harbour in New Zealand’s North Island.

“A 49-year-old man is due in Te Awamutu district court on January 25, 2017, charged with taking a child from New Zealand,” Detective Sergeant Bill Crowe said.

Langdon was in a custody dispute with his former wife, Que’s mother, Ariane Wyler, when they disappeared, prompting widespread searches of the New Zealand coast and sea areas.

Six-year-old girl and father who went missing from New Zealand sail into NSW Read more

A private investigator, Col Chapman, told Radio New Zealand on Sunday that Wyler had arrived in Australia from Switzerland, where she has been since early last month, and Que was now in her care.

The circumstances of their reunion were disputed. Chapman told Fairfax Media Que had decided to go with her mother after Wyler approached her “at a quiet moment”.

“They chatted briefly and Que informed her mother she missed her, loved her and was thrilled to see her,” Chapman said. “Within a few minutes Que asked if she could come with her mother.”

Langdon said Que had vanished after going to the toilet and he did not know where she was until he was told by the media she was with her mother.

He had previously told the Milton and Ulladulla Times that he and Que were looking forward to much-needed rest after the trip, for most of which they were left with just one rudder after the other broke.

It’s believed that he and Que had been in Australia for about two days before authorities were notified by a member of the public who had seen posters.

Langdon, an Australian citizen, is reported to be cooperating with authorities.

On Monday a police spokesman said there were “no extradition proceedings happening” for Langdon to return to New Zealand.

He is expected to return on his own volition, but the spokeswoman would not confirm whether police believed he would do so.