Abducted baby rescued in New Zealand

WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- An 8-month-old girl abducted more than a week ago was rescued Sunday and returned unharmed to her parents, a wealthy Maori couple whose prominence sparked suspicion the kidnapping was racially motivated.

Kahu Durie, whose abduction shocked a nation where such crime is rare, was found during a police raid on a house in the central part of New Zealand's North Island, police Detective Inspector Stuart Wildon said. She was examined by a doctor and appeared fine.

Taken by armed man

The baby was snatched from her stroller in suburban Wellington on April 13 by a masked man brandishing a shotgun.

Police received a ransom note a few days ago demanding $1.3 million, Wildon said.

Kahu's mother, Donna Hall, is a prominent lawyer who deals with multimillion-dollar legal claims for the indigenous Maori people at a special tribunal.

The girl's father, Eddie Durie, is the tribunal's chairman and New Zealand's first Maori High Court judge.

There has been speculation the couple was targeted because of their involvement in the struggle for Maori rights. Hall told police the kidnapper was a white man.

The girl's parents did not comment Sunday.

"They've been through a tremendously emotional time and are just so grateful to have their wee daughter back," Wildon said. "From the police perspective it is the best result we could ever wish to have."

Maori people make up about 15 percent of New Zealand's population of 4 million. Most are among its poorest and least educated; Hall and Durie are high-profile exceptions.

They adopted Kahu from Hall's sister.