Man charged with murder of British backpacker
A 26-year-old man has appeared in court in New Zealand charged with the murder of missing British backpacker Grace Millane.
Police investigating the disappearance of the 22-year-old from Essex found a body on the outskirts of Auckland on Sunday, which they believe to be the university graduate.
New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern apologised to Ms Millane’s family, saying: "From the Kiwis I have spoken to there is this overwhelming sense of hurt and shame that this has happened in our country, a place that prides itself on our hospitality…especially to those who are visiting our shores.
"On behalf of New Zealand, I would like to apologise to Grace’s family. Your daughter should have been safe here and she wasn’t and I’m sorry for that."
The suspect, who has not yet been named, did not enter a plea. He has been remanded in custody until January 23. His lawyer has appealed a ruling that he can be named, saying his client would not get a fair trial.
Ms Millane went missing on her birthday last week, a fortnight after she arrived in New Zealand. She had previously spent six weeks travelling around Peru on an organised tour.
Det Insp Beard said the body was found about 10 metres off Scenic Drive, a country road outside the city.
Ms Millane’s father had earlier flown out to New Zealand to help with the search for his daughter. Police announced on Saturday that she was ‘no longer alive’ after reviewing CCTV footage and examining a hotel where she was last seen.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports