NZ diplomat's elation at outcome of hostage talks [+ audio]

New Zealand diplomat Peter Rider has had the ultimate reward for two hard weeks of negotiations over the kidnapping in Gaza of Fox News journalists Olaf Wiig and Steve Centanni.

He described chaotic scenes as the pair turned up in the lobby of their hotel, where they were dropped off by their captors.

Mr Rider said he was talking to Mr Wiig's wife, broadcaster Anita McNaught, when she took off like a rocket to find her husband in the hotel lobby.

The kidnapped pair told him they had been put into a car and made to put their heads down so they were unable to see where they were. They were then driven into Gaza City where the car suddenly stopped, and they were pushed out to find themselves in the alley by their hotel.

Peter Rider told Newstalk ZB Palestinian officials had been working hard on the case and were confident that morning that negotiations were progressing well.

He said they realised their reputation was on the line and their international image stood to be enhanced or tarnished by what happened.

An anti-terrorism specialist has said Wiig and Centanni appear to have handled themselves well during their ordeal.

Security expert Jeff Beatty said the pair did everything right by not being confrontational and by stringing out the process. He said they behaved sensibly and did nothing to alienate their captors, which could have led to a violent confrontation.

Wiig and Centanni were only released after making a video in which they said they had converted to Islam.

However, Steve Centanni said they had no choice, adding he has nothing but the highest respect for Islam - but he said as the captors had guns on them, they had no other option as they had no real idea what was going on.

There is still no word on why the Palestinian group holding the men decided to release them.

Parents

Meanwhile Wiig's parents cannot wait to see their son again - it is just a matter of where in the world they will eventually meet up.

Reverend Roger Wiig, a British resident, has been on holiday in New Zealand for the duration of his son's kidnap ordeal in Gaza.

But he told the Paul Holmes Breakfast that communication has been excellent, with Olaf's boss from Fox news in regular touch, and the Wiigs have been speaking to the family of Centanni.

Mr Wiig said the family will be in touch with Olaf and his wife Anita McNaught to plan a reunion, the details of which are up in the air at the moment.

He said he is full of admiration for his daughter in law and her role in negotiations. He said the family is so grateful to her for sticking in there in Gaza and keeping the case in the public eye, when officials were advising her to move back to the safety of Jerusalem.

"She was determined to be there when her man was released," he said, "...and she was."

Prime Minister Helen Clark said she is thrilled for all concern, and paid tribute to the co-operation of the Palestinian authorities.

She said there had been some hints that the pair might be freed during the weekend, although they knew they could not count on it until the two men were back in safe hands.

- NEWSTALK ZB