KEY POINTS:
Wearing a baggy white t-shirt and standing with his hands behind his back, Nai Yin Xue appeared in the dock of the Auckland District Court.
There was little reaction from Xue, who entered no plea, as Judge Eddie Paul told him he was charged with the murder of
his wife Anan Liu.
One charge was dropped by the police prosecution, that of taking his daughter to Melbourne.
Xue was flanked by two police officers during his short appearance and bowed to the judge before being led back into custody.
Xue, 53, was arrested in Auckland this morning after being deported from the United States under guard.
He is accused of killing Anan Liu last September before abandoning his three-year-old daughter Qian Xun Xue in a Melbourne railway station.
Xue fled to the United States from Melbourne and was captured in Atlanta, Georgia on February 29.
More than 25 journalists and camera operators were in today's courtroom but the public gallery was only about half fill after Judge Paul emptied the courtroom to address media coverage applications. He had earlier warned some photographers that they would be thrown out for not respecting court orders and photographing before he had given permission.
Xue's lawyer, Chris Comeskey told waiting reporters outside that Mr Xue was happy to be back but tired.
"We haven't got into the nitty-gritty of what his precise instructions might be. I'm going to see him again this afternoon but I would expect that would take some form over the next 10 days," Mr Comeskey said.
He said he was not anticipating an application for bail "anytime soon" but it could be considered in the future.
Mr Comeskey would not comment when asked if Xue had asked after his daughter Quan Xun Xue, now living with her Grandmother in China.
"Obviously there has been a tragic death, police are seeking to get some accountability on it. It's no great secret that he has been charged on that and his culpability will un-wind as the process proceeds," Mr Comesky said.
He said getting a fair trial for Xue could be an issue that needs addressing in the future, given the intense media interest.
Earlier, team members from Operation Patch - the investigation into Anan Liu's death - met Xue's Los Angeles flight at Auckland International Airport.
Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Scott told waiting media that Xue had been taken into New Zealand police custody after his plane touched down at 7.20am.
Xue was in the custody of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers for the duration of his flight.
"He appears healthy, he was manacled on his legs and hands and otherwise he's healthy," Mr Scott said.
Asked if Xue had said anything to police, Mr Scott declined to comment saying the matter was before the courts.
"We're just happy to have him back in New Zealand."
Passenger Gabi Fredericks was on the flight with Xue, who she said was accompanied by four police officers and seated in the last row of economy.
She said Xue wore a long-sleeved, oversized blue jacket that covered his handcuffs and was met by six to eight officers at the gate.
Another passenger, Susan Edwards, was in first class and didn't see Xue on the flight but said rumours had been circulating that "someone on the flight needed extra security".
"I think people who were in economy felt slightly jittery about it. They weren't entirely comfortable," she said.
Ms Edwards said groupings of police in fours and fives were waiting as passengers disembarked at Auckland and at Customs Xue was taken through a back door at Customs and not processed with other travellers.
She said, coincidentally, she had been in Atlanta when Xue was found there and that local media coverage of the case had been almost non-existent as two local double murders had taken place around the same time.
Last month, after Xue had evaded police for nearly six months, six members of a Chinese family in the small town of Chamblee in Atlanta, Georgia, recognised him from a picture in a Chinese journal.
They double checked his image on the America's Most Wanted website before all six leapt on him, tying his hands with his belt and knotting his trousers around his ankles so he could not run off.
Xue was visited by New Zealand police before being deported from the United States for overstaying a 90-day visa, which expired in December.
US Ambassador to New Zealand Bill McCormick, today congratulated all those involved in Xue's return to New Zealand.
"We all wanted to see the suspect be apprehended and returned to New Zealand for his day in court. That is exactly what has happened," he said.
"I want to commend the police officers on both sides - here and in the US for their professionalism and persistence."
Mr McCormick said the media also played a pivotal role in the capture and he applauded "the gumption and initiative of those folks who made the citizens' arrest".
"Without the cooperation of all involved, Xue would still be at large."
Xue will next appear at the Auckland District Court on March 19.
