New Zealand Police have laid charges against yachtie Alan Langdon.

The 49-year-old took his six-year-old daughter, Que, to Australia in December on his small boat – despite saying he was planning to head to the Bay of Islands.

Large scale search operations were launched to look for the pair, who arrived in Queensland last week.

Detective Sergeant Bill Crowe says police are now charging the man under the Care of Children Act.

A 49-year-old man is due in Te Awamutu District Court on 25 January, charged with taking a child from New Zealand.

Police say Mr Langdon is still in Australia but won't comment on any proceedings to return him to New Zealand.