'Pumpkin' detectives head to US

Two Auckland detectives leave for Atlanta, Georgia today, to speak with witnesses to Friday's arrest of Nai Yin Xue.

Xue, who abandoned his daughter Qian Xun Xue in Melbourne after allegedly killing his wife Anan Lui, has been on the run since September.

He first fled to Los Angeles, and American authorities have been hunting him since.

Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Scott says the two detectives will also be meeting with US law enforcement authorities.

"Arrangements for the escorted return of Mr Xue back to New Zealand are being handled by the authorities in the United States," he said.