New Zealand Herald

Parents of girl missing in Portugal met in NZ

6:10PM Monday May 14, 2007

The parents of Madeline McCann, the four-year-old British girl missing in Portugal, got their relationship together in New Zealand.

Gerry McCann, the surgeon father of Madeline, worked in Hawke's Bay and played soccer for Napier City Rovers in 1996, Hawke's Bay Today newspaper reported.

A multi-million pound reward has been offered for the information leading to the return of Madeline, who was snatched from her bed at a Portugese beach resort on May 3 while her parents were dining at a nearby restaurant.

Gerry McCann was a "down-to-earth, natural, great guy" said Rovers stalwarts Ian Gearey and Jim Scott, who attended his wedding to Kate McCann eight years ago.

The couple's romance flourished after Mr McCann followed his future wife to New Zealand, Mr Gearey said.

"Kate was working as a doctor in Wellington. He told us he'd come for her, he came to woo her, really. He won her heart and, of course they got together here, and not that terribly long after they got married in the UK."

Mr Gearey had tried to contact the McCanns since Madeline's disappearance, to let the frantic family know their Kiwi mates were there for support.

Mr McCann was a "very, very" talented surgeon who was very well regarded and worked in Hawke's Bay, Mr Gearey said.

Mrs McCann is a GP while her husband is a heart specialist.

" Both of them are lovely people."

- NZPA