MESSAGES ABOUT DYLAN"S ABDUCTION ...

Dear Prime Minister ....

What is happening here?

The efforts by the National Government to pretend that they should have no interest or involvement in this case appear cynical and deliberate.  These are New Zealanders, Dylan is a New Zealander.

Like many other people I have watched this heart-breaking saga unfold and been appalled that no politician, no Government Agency will take any action.  If NZ does not uphold the Hague Convention, why do we belong to it?  What is a parent in Bruce"s position supposed to do?

What legal actions do we in New Zealand have to protect our children from these situations?  It appears not a lot.

I think thoseof us who supported you deserve an answer, as does Bruce Laybourn and his family.

C. Wood

This young boy is a Kiwi and his right to grow up and know what it is to walk on Takapuna Beach, go camping in the bush, and fishing on our beautiful ocean with his dad.  This right has been stolen from him.  Our Government needs to stand up for his rights. He matters -  as does every single child born in this country. Bring him home John Key.  I have faith in you to do the right thing.

I know both Bruce and Nil as I worked for them as a graphic designer for his travel magazine.  I lost touch with Bruce as I have been battling breast cancer and have been bringing up my own babies.  I can assure you Bruce is an honest, genuine bloke and would be a fantastic father to his son.  He gave Nil everything she wanted while she lived in New Zealand and he deserves to be helped.

PLEASE help Bruce in his quest to attain what he rightly and justly deserves - his son back!  I can"t believe your press secretary doesn"t know about his case when Helen Clark was involved, our Turkish Embassy is involved and it was on the national news!

Cindy McQuade

Bruce - I hope you get to bring your little boy home soon. As a child from a similar situation, I wish my father fought as much as you are Bruce. I wish you all the best.

Anon

Dylan"s mother needs to do the right thing by her son and return him to his father. There are too many men out there that don"t care or support their children financially or emotionally. This man is prepared to move heaven and earth to see his son. I cannot believe that this has gone on for as long as it has. Come on Turkey do the right thing, and National you need to get on board. How would any of you feel if this happened to you?

Maureen Nicholls

This tragedy has gone on for for too long.  This father has suffered enough.

The mother and the child are also unhappy . As they are all New Zealand citizens a return to New Zealand is simple and will open the way for a positive solution for the parents and the child.

It is in your hands. A little effort from you would have a large impact. Please make this effort for the future happiness of these three people.

Also i believe making a stand now will prevent similar tragedies happening in the future.

Yours sincerely
Pam laybourn
Tumai laybourn
Awhina laybourn

 It saddens me to think I voted for you as a family man, a fair, honest man and because I felt you were a man of compassion and you would fight for the people yet you don"t acknowledge or fight for a wee Kiwi boy trapped in a far away country.

Helen Clark has done and planned to do so much for this boy.  To help him home to his Dad.  Why do you not pull finger and pick up the phone and carry on where she left off?  Why?  Are your people not getting the message through?

You could at least let Bruce, the boy"s father, know you are aware of the situation.

It is a very bad look for you.  Please look up his website and get hold of Bruce Laybourn 021 950288. This man"s father has put his life on the line for New Zealand before.  Help these people John. The most simple of acts on your part can play a monumental role in bringing Dylan Laybourn home to New Zealand.

Hilary McLachlan

PLEASE help Bruce in his quest to attain what he rightly and justly deserves - his son back!  I can"t believe your press secretary doesn"t know about his case when Helen Clark was involved, our Turkish Embassy is involved and it was on the national news!

I implore you to step in and add your weight to this matter.  There are hundreds of Kiwis married to Turks with children in both NZ & Turkey who could so easily end up in a similar predicament, myself included.  I"ve notified many friends and family members in Turkey who are watching this case with interest.   With the Turkish media picking up on it too, the last thing New Zealand needs to be seen as on the international stage is disinterested in the protection and welfare of it"s citizens, especially when they are a child.

As much as I love my Turkish relatives and enjoy Turkey as a place to visit, New Zealand is a far better place to raise children and Dylan would be much better off growing up here.  Istanbul is not a particularly child-friendly city.

I"m a National supporter and it"s disappointing to think that the Labour led government was more in touch with it"s public in this instance.

Yours Sincerely,
Angela Yuksel

 

I truly feel that NZ as a country should help in the plea to bring Dylan.

Colleen Elvey

I have been following the sad events of this kidnapping unravel for the last 2 years. When I first heard of Dylan"s abduction I never would have thought that 2 years later the New Zealand government would not only refuse to help, but make excuses to avoid helping an honest, typical Kiwi man in a horrible situation.

This has gone on too long. Bruce Laybourn has been pursuing this matter for far too long by himself, and borne the financial cost on himself, and himself only. It is time the New Zealand Government, led by you, take control of the matter. As a single man, he has very little influence, he can try as hard as he likes, but without the support of others, and his government his voice will only be heard by a few.

It"s time to step up and do something right, It"s time for the Prime Minister of New Zealand who has taken over with a running start to make an influence and get this New Zealand boy home.

I pray that this email does not go unnoticed, and action is finally taken. This is our responsibility as a nation.

 Chris von Batenburg

Please help this little New Zealand boy to come home and be with his father. How much more time must pass before something is done to help this family.

THEY NEED HELP NOW!!!!!

I beg you as a mother that you, as the  Prime Minister of New Zealand and a father yourself,  show compassion and help this little New Zealander come home.

Thank you for your time.
Julie Pullar

Thank you for what a great job you have done so far as Prime Minister. At a time like this it is easy to forget the smaller things when we are all faced with a huge economic burden.

I am writing to appeal to you to follow up on the abduction of Dylan Laybourn to Turkey. His father has been fighting under the Hague Convention with many setbacks for 20 months to have him returned to New Zealand. This little boy is a New Zealander and deserves to be at home with his father!

Kind regards
Rosie James

I am writing this letter because I think something should be done by the New Zealand  government to bring Dylan home.  He is a New Zealand citizen and it is absolutely appalling that we are not doing anything to help get him back. 

If it was a Member of Parliment"s child that had been abducted that child would have been brought home by now.

Please do something to get him back home where he belongs!
Please support Bruce in the return of his son to New Zealand!!!

Selena

We spoke up when we elected you as a Prime Minister, trusting that you would speak up for us New Zealand Citizens as it is your duty. Please don"t leave this New Zealander alone in his plea for justice. There is only so much he can do without the government"s support. Please acknowledge this is happening and show us you care.

Regards,
Ana Lucia Navia

As you should well know, it is every New Zealand child’s right to actively know BOTH parents and siblings! No one person should be able to take away that right from any child, let alone their own!  

We need to make a point that if you do not want to share your child (with a partner you plan on leaving), that RUNNING AWAY TO ANOTHER COUNTRY is not going to be accepted in New Zealand! This act of selfishness should not be able to cancel out the right of that child and we as New Zealanders should fight to prevent this from happening to the children (and their loved ones) in our country! We need to make a stand and make an example of people who choose to do this, We need to show them that we do not condone this type of behaviour!

There are too many children that will grow up without a father and when there is a father that will fight for his son, fight to see his son just one more time, then we need to support this man! He needs to have us on his side! If we do not make a stand now then what message are we giving to all those other parents that have separated, and dislike there ex spending time with his own child! How many other people will run away to Turkey now that it is this EASY to do and OK with the New Zealand Government?

A fight for your child is the hardest thing a parent should have to go through, and this man should be supported by New Zealand and the mother should be punished for permanently removing a child from New Zealand without consent of both the child’s guardians! If we do not hold this law in place we will have a lot more of this kind of thing to look forward to in the future!

Bruce Laybourn, We do support you! And the fact that our New Government does not support you may suggest that we as a country have definitely made a bad choice these elections!
 
Our Children are our future and should never be neglected!

Anon

I have known Bruce for a few years now, first as a budding writer and then as a friend.  He is a man who has always endeavoured to lend his full support and help wherever he can - professionally and personally.   To give him our full assistance in helping him to bring his son back to New Zealand would be karmic justice of the most deserving kind.

 All the best Bruce, our thoughts are with you!

Penny Newton

Here in Hawaii it is not unlike New Zealand, strong families are the backbone of the community.  Sadly some families break up, sometimes wives and husbands in an effort to punish each other, take their children away, sadly it is the children who suffer most, especially the small defenceless ones. 

Too many children in New Zealand have been lost to domestic violence.  It is the government"s responsibility to look after its family (all the people in New Zealand) and take care of those in distressing situations through no fault of there own.

I assume Dylan has a New Zealand Passport, or some form of travel documentation.  Surely it is a simple task for the government of New Zealand to demand the return of one of their citizens. 

Let us not lose another small defenceless child, (I am not suggesting Dylan"s mother is miss treating him or does not love him).  I agree that if there is a dispute over custody of a child the court case should be determined in the country where the child is from, in this case New Zealand. 

In the words of English philosopher Edmund Burke "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing"  (again I am not suggesting that Dylan"s mother is evil) I know there are many good people in New Zealand so let"s do something to help Mr Laybourn reunite with his son. 

To Bruce: you have a determination most do not possess, keep fighting and gathering friends to your side.  If enough people cry out, help will arrive.  Aloha nui loa (love very much) from Hawaii.

Peter J Spear

Please could you support Bruce in the return of his son to New Zealand by ensuring goverment representation at the up and coming  court hearing in Turkey.

As a National supporter and parent I will be most disappointed in your people in Turkey if nothing is done to support Bruce.

Joanna Stevens


I have just read about your problem and just wanted to say "Good Luck" and stay strong. I am a mother of a 6-year-old girl and would hate anything like you are going through to happen to us.

Lisa Raymond


I have just discovered the situation of Bruce Laybourn and his son Dylan. 

As a totally loving solo father of two young children myself, I cannot begin to imagine what it"s like to be in Bruce"s shoes.  

I urge John Key and his team to think for a moment about this young Kiwi who has been taken from his country of birth, and his father who is doing all he can to bring him home, and ask themselves "If this was my son, what help would I rightfully expect from the government".  Then ask themselves: “Are we REALLY doing all we can? “

When all is sald and done, a part of being a leader of any country - more important than anything - is having the integrity to act in a manner that reflects the position that the people who have elected you to office MUST come first. And in being in a unique position to exert influence and bring significant pressure to bear, John Key and his ministers must use whatever resources they have at their disposal to help bring this young Kiwi home where he belongs.

Failure to do so clearly suggests our Prime Minister"s values are not those of a true leader, and he should think very, very seriously about why he is in the position he is in.

Good luck Bruce. From one loving father to another, my heart goes out to you. I wish you all the very, very best.

Richard Jansen

 
You must support a NZ family and assist in bringing Dylan home. This will allow a family to opportunity to grow together.

 Dean Robb


C"mon help this man get his son back! This is a New Zealander who no longer sees his son. I thought New Zealand was the Country that is known for its friendly and helpful citizens yet we wont help one of our own! What if this was your son? You would do everything you possibly could to get him back? Right? Well lets help this man out however we can!

Come on New Zealand help one of your own out!

Tracey Nairn


Thank you Bruce for the update. I wish you all the best for the Court Hearing and your journey to Turkey.

We will be thinking of you and your family at this time and hoping the next update brings good news and hopefully some gilmmer of light towards Dylan’s return.
 
Best wishes
Danielle Gardner and wee Charlie (16 months old)


As someone who voted for you in the recent elections, and as a citizen of New Zealand, I sincerely hope that you and your government can do something to help speed up the process of bringing Dylan home where he belongs.

It is sad that another sovereign country is dragging its feet in regard to international law, especially when pertaining to New Zealand citizens. So again, a plead that you will do all in your power to make sure Dylan returns to New Zealand as quickly and as safely as possible.

 Vincent McNabb

I"m a Kiwi who lives in Australia for work and every morning without fail I read the Herald on line to hear what is happening in the country I love.The past months have saddened me as a proud Kiwi to read of the parents who are killing and abusing there children every day in our beautiful country. As a mother myself it sickens me to read how these poor children never had a chance.... then i read another story, a father, who unlike so many, wants and loves his son and only wants to care and love him,  be a father to him.... can you really sit there and do nothing about a man who wants to be a father, a role model in this small boy"s life? In a country that is being looked down at for the way it is treating its young, we should be doing everything we can to encourage parents who want to be involed with there children. What are you saying to the public when you refuse a NZ man the help he needs to be a father? Look at the effort this poor man has put into getting his son back, the child he loves, can you really say no? I hope not, I hope you can set a presedent and show that we as kiwis are behind parents 100% who want to be the best parents they can be!

Anna-Maria Pangari

What a nightmare for any parent to have to endure. I can"t imagine any government not doing everything in it"s power to help Mr. Laybourn with the return of his son. I am disappointed that the government of New Zealand isn"t doing more.

With high hopes for action,

Victoria Winters

Please Help bring Dylan home.

It saddens that Dylan is kept away from his father Bruce and that with each day that passes, that little boy does not have the relationship that he deserves.

Dylan needs to know his father as well as his mother for him to have every chance of becoming a good person. He deserves to live as a normal child surrounded by his fater"s love as well as his mother"s love.

Please help bring Dylan home so he can know his Daddy at last.

Herenui Amaru
Papeete, Tahiti
 

I have spent most of my life growing up in New Zealand. My family moved to New Zealand several generations before me. I have always felt safe. That I am in a country that has compasion and a heart. I thought that our government would fight to ensure that what is right happens. This story is tragic and i find it utterly disgusting that our government cannot spare the time to do the right thing.

I ask you, do you have children? If they where taken away from you to another country where you are not able to visit them what would you do?

I bet then you would want the government to help.

Think about that. Also think about Bruce Laybourn and the stress this has put him through.

I beg of you to help.

Katrina Lehrke

 

I wish to add my appeal to the hundreds of others you must have received asking for your assistance to bring Dylan home.  I am a mother of two and unlike Bruce, if I were placed in his position, I would illegally snatch my children back. 

Bruce should be commended for following the correct process and given not just a token of support from the New Zealand government, but instead be provided with all the power and strength that New Zealand can provide him.  With so many corrupt people in the world these days, Bruce needs to be in the front of everyone"s mind as a symbol of honesty and integrity in the face of adversity.

I plead on his behalf, to tug at your heartstrings as a father yourself,  to do more than you think you can to bring Dylan home.

Regards,
Claudia Irons
 

This is outrageous! I can"t believe it has come this far with no positive outcome. If Dylan had been abducted and taken to Australia, Bruce would have him back by now. Why hasn"t the govenment stepped in and taken control over this terrible situation?

I hope Helen keeps her promise and doesn"t loose focus in this quest now that she is no longer the Prime Minister.

I wish Bruce luck and hope all his efforts will soon be well rewarded.

Lynda Jones

I understand you have just got into power, as you certainly got my vote.  In regards to the issue of the returning of Dylan Laybourn to NZ from Turkey I wish that you do not let the matter rest until this matter is resolved.  Please keep on this case as Helen made a promise to keep on to this.  Best of luck and I look forward to it making a difference.

Kelly Gooch


The family and the love from parents is the most important for a child, Dylan has the right to grow up with his dad and Bruce deserves to be helped, please bring Dylan home.

I"m with you my friend

Julia

We watched the video of Dylan doing the HAKA- really great performance.
 
We were most saddened and annoyed, reading through the chronology on the website. What unfairness it is to not be able to see your own son! Nukhet and I would like to relay our heartfelt sympathy and can only hope that things will somehow turn for the better very soon.
 
With kind regards
Adnan
Istanbul, Turkey

BRING DYLAN BACK!

It is outrageous that this issue is still not resolved. And the reason that it is not resolved seems to be bureaucrat incompetence between New Zealand & Turkish governments.

What they don’t realise is that the longer this issue goes on the longer the pain is being experienced by Bruce and his family – this needs to be resolved once and for all.
 
And what does resolution look like? Clearly you cannot take a child from the country of birth without approval. If this is the case then this opens up a can of worms in regards to abductions, even if they are taken by one of their parents. There are a lot of abductions that occur around the world that are by neither of their parents which we do not hear a lot about in NZ and not having clear arrangements in place to address these issues will just make these situations more common.
 
I plead to you to think of Dylan as being your own child and how this would make you feel. With that in mind I beg you to make a difference and bring Dylan home.
 
My life certainly has it’s challenges at the moment, and I’m sure a lot of people are feeling the same at the moment. But my challenges pale in significance of what Bruce is going through at the moment.
 
My thought are with you Bruce.
 
Mark Macdonald


I  strongly appeal to the NZ government, in particular the Foreign  Affairs office, to become actively involved in sorting out this awful  situation.

I am stunned to hear that Turkey does not recognise NZ as  party to the Hague Convention on child abduction, and frankly, horrified, as  I too am a New Zealander with children to a Turkish spouse.

To have a  child taken from you under any circumstances, is a parent"s worst  nightmare.

As in many relationships, my husband and I have had unhappy  times where we have discussed separating, and I have always been confident  that if he took our children to Turkey and refused to return them, I could  at least have the backing of the NZ Government and the Hague Convention to  have them returned to NZ for custody to be settled.

I can"t begin to  explain the sinking feeling in my gut right now realising this isn"t the  case.  While it"s not a very likely threat for me, abduction and  removal to a foreign country is always a possibility when you have a spouse  of dual citizenship.

I feel most empathetic and aggreived for Mr  Laybourn and my heart goes out to him as he tries to get back his  relationship with his son Dylan.

There are several hundred Turks in NZ, many of whom have Kiwi partners and share children, as well as Kiwis in  Turkey with children to Turks, and we all stand to be affected by this  problem.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get this sorted out so more of us  aren"t in danger of being affected in the same way Mr Laybourn has  been.

Angela  Yuksel
New Zealand

I was horrified to hear of your battle that you have currently to find your little boy. I can"t even begin to imagine your pain.

I have three little girls and I can"t even go there... I have posted links everywhere I can here in Orange County with regards to Dylan and I will continue to do whatever I can to "Help Bring Dylan Home". My thoughts and prayers are with you..

Jennifer Conover
USA

 

As a New Zealand citizen I formally request that my Prime Minister and Government take action to return Dylan back to NZ.

In anticipation,

Grahame Haggart
France

I am apalled that the NZ Government have failed to support Bruce in his quest to have his little son returned toNew Zealand - his birthplace and birthright.  Having your child taken from you under such circumstances, must be the most devastating thing that can happen to any parent.

I implore the NZ Government to become involved in Bruce"s fight for his son.

I have known Bruce for a long time and he is one very genuine and caring person and I can only try and imagine just what he is going through - must be heartbreaking for him and his family.

Decima Kinsman
New Zealand

 

This is an outrageous situation that needs to be solved as soon as possible to avoid permanent damage on the child"s memory of his loving father. I beg this office to intervene as efficiently as possible to bring the right closure to this unfortunate situation. Kind regards  

Valerio Longone
Italy



I have been a friend of Bruce Laybourn"s for a very very long time.  I have watched him go through a lot of painful emotions over the past 18 months. 

I feel for him and feel completely hopeless for him.  This whole ordeal could not have happened to a kinder person. 

Bruce deserves a break.  It angers me that Winston Peters is so useless.  Nothing new.  I wish you all the best Bruce and pray help comes and Dylan gets home to you soon.

Hilary McLachlan
New Zealand

It is vital to us New Zealand Citizens that we know that our government will back us if our child is abducted.  I implore you to take affirmitive action to reunite this family. 

I would also suggest that you consult with Britain & Australia, as our allies and fellow members of the Commenwealth so that they can also put diplomatic pressure into the situation.

Steve Meinders
New Zealand

No child should be taken away from a loving parent. His mother should be ashamed. I would hope the government of New Zealand would take action to help Mr Laybourn.

My husband and I once visited New Zealand. It"s a beautiful country I am shocked they have no laws to help a parent in this situation. My prayers go out to Dylan and his father.
 
Dana Petri
USA

 

This is a tragic circumstance involving a wonderful friend of mine and his only dear son.I understand Helen Clark has made progress re this issue, however now that you, John Key, are our new Prime Minister (my sincere congrats) I would expect you to keep the momentum and focus on returning Dylan to his country of birth and to his Father who has spent thousands of dollars and sleepless nights and stress over this issue.

Through the relentless focus and commitment from Bruce Laybourn to have his son  rightfully returned I would expect an early result that can be achieved with the Government"s intervention.

My sincere thanks to you for your earliest attention in this matter.
In appreciation.

Mike McColl
New Zealand

 

Please make sure you make every effort to bring this lovely liitle boy back to NZ.  He is a Kiwi boy who needs to run free and grow up to be a great man of the land.  He is stuck in a horrible place and it is not necessary. Please please make sure this child is home with his dad for Christmas.  I showed my kids the website and they thought he was cute but I could see the confusion on their faces because they could not understand why nobody had done anything to help him.

Thank you for your time

Shaye Petricevich
New Zealand

 

Dylan is a little New Zealand citizen being kept a very long way from home.

Please follow Helen Clark’s initiative and take action to support this little New Zealand citizen and help to bring Dylan home to join his New Zealand family.

Penny Laybourn
New Zealand

 

I am writing to request that the New Zealand government steps in and assists this father in getting his son back home.

Fiona Hickson



Bring Dylan Home.

H Smith Hughes


As a New Zealand citizen I formally request that my Prime Minister and Government take action to return Dylan back to New Zealand.

To Bruce, I cannot begin to imagine what you have been through and what you are going through. I pray for you son to be returned to you as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,
Michael Adamson


I have just watched 60 minutes and feel for the father of Dylan. His son was born here and was abducted by the mother .. this isn’t right and he should be returned home.

Michelle


bring back dylan!!!!!!!

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Anonymous


Please please please don"t leave this dad alone in his fight. He"s already enduring a cruel situation, not supporting him in any way possible would add to this.

Ana Lucia Navia


 
After watching 60min, I am compelled to send this e-mail in support of Bruce Laybourn with his quest to bring his son Dylan back to NZ.
All the best Bruce and God Bless.

Kathleen Makapatama



To whom this may concern,

I am a mother of a small boy and this saddens me so much that a child of New Zealand’s future has been taken away from his home and his father who clearly loves him dearly,

is there anything we can do?

And why is the government not doing all they can to reunite this family?

Amy Hannah


Please use the same spirit as was demonstrated by Dylan"s Dad: A peaceful, and best outcome for Dylan. I knew Nil as well and marvelled at the beautiful life Bruce gave her here in New Zealand. Come on Turkey, you are an ancient country with great pride. Do the right thing!

Barry Loggenberg
South Africa


I watched the show tonight on Dylan and his abduction from New Zealand. I always find it hard when men’s right are lost and not thought of as important as they are paternal, and thought not to be as deep and emotional feelings as the maternal feelings.

I am a mother, and I couldn’t ever think of taking my daughter away from her father or her home country. At the end of the day it really comes back to that there must be an equal arrangement. I believe New Zealand is an amazing place for a child to be brought up, and at the end of the day, when you have a child in a different country you know the consequences.

I hope that Dylan gets returned to New Zealand, with his mother. Who knows? She might actually want to return, but is being brain washed against her will.

Dylan deserves to have BOTH parents in his life, they both made the decision to have him, so they should equally get to enjoy him growing up.

Bo Burns


Just saw the story air tonight I wish to send a message of support to you and of hope. I am Renee Asici married to a wonderful caring loving Turk for the last 15 years. We have two children and can identify with your sorrow it must be a strain.

I wish you all the best in your need to bring your family together and hope you can work out the best for you and your partner and son. It can work in a New Zealand context and it doesn’t need to be this hard. I know that Turkish people put family and the well being of the children above all and my sincerest hope is that they will see what extra-ordinary lengths you are prepared to go to reunite. I applaud your integrity and not inflaming an already stressed time by not snatching him back.
 
Renee


Please continue to support Bruce in bringing his son home. The 60 minutes programme showed his partner happy to see Bruce and wanting to return to New Zealand. Over time her family convinced her it was not a good idea.

Dylan deserves an up bringing in New Zealand. We have so much more to offer him here  - paddocks, blue skies and a very doting father. If he is legally a New Zealand citizen then we need to bring him home. When he is older he can make up his own mind about returning to his mother"s country.

Julie-Ann Jones


We ask ourselves where are the equal rights when it comes to child custody.

I hope this boy can soon be re-united with his father; it is a very sad situation and needs to be resolved. It is great to see a father fighting for his rights.

And that boy needs his father.

Sarah Sleep


hi seen ur story on 60 mins
hope u get ur son back
u are a loving father keep fitting u have my surport

Samantha Scott


This is so unfair on both Dylan and his Dad who obviously loves this little boy to bits.  Not only did he lose the wife he thought loved him but to have this darling wee boy taken as well is just heart breaking.  I hope the authorities get behind Dylan’s dad and give him all the support he needs to get his little boy home.  John Key is a father himself and I"m sure he would fight for his kids if this happened so hopefully he will get behind this and fight for Dylan’s return.

Susan Harrison


After watching the segment on 60minutes about Dylan"s abduction I had to go check my own son just to make sure he was there, the pain Dylan"s father will be feeling must be unbearable, even more that it has been 18 months and no one has done anything.

I am glad Helen Clark stepped up and now John Key will be taking over in the fight to bring Dylan home because this should not have happened and I really truly hope that Dylan is returned for Christmas.

I really cannot even begin to feel your pain, but I truly hope your son is returned to you ASAP!!!

Anon


As a mother of two young children and, after watching the 60 Minutes show about Dylan, I am incredibly saddened by his mother’s actions - how can she, knowing the pain it would cause to his father and Dylan himself, take away this little boy. It is a very selfish act and one that I don’t think I would be able to forgive as a parent.

I hope that the authorities are doing everything they can to assist in bringing Dylan home to New Zealand and giving him the chance to know his father and his New Zealand family.

Megan


I write with regard to the case of Bruce Laybourn and his infant son Dylan. While I"m sure your first days in the job have been incredibly busy as a father and family man I hope that you will empathise with the anguish caused by the situation.

I ask, in all sincerity, that all possible avenues are explored in order to resolve the issue and to reunite father and son.

Yours faithfully
AD Beck


My wife and I watched 60 Minutes about Dylan Laybourn and have read parts of this website and am amazed at the lack of action for a Kiwi citizen from our own government.

Come on New Zealand government - its time to front up and do the right thing.

Duncan Matthews


In think it is absolutely horrific that something like this has actually happened in New Zealand and is still going on after 18 months. Dylan is a New Zealand citizen with a loving father who just wants his son to come home.

New Zealand prides itself on human rights and yet we can"t seem to bring a child home to his father. Men in this country don"t have enough rights towards their children. No child should grow up without a father in their life especially one as caring and willing as Bruce Laybourn.

It annoys me how ignorant Turkey seem to be in regards to Bruce"s case and his mother should be ashamed for abducting her own child and taking away his right to a father and a happy childhood.

With any hope our new Prime Minister John Key should be able to do something? Surely enough is enough?

Taryn Reynolds


After watching 60 Minutes, my heart breaks.  Dylan is a New Zealand boy and he should be here with his father.

Come on New Zealand government, this case should be at the top of your list and you should be doing everything you can to get him home!

Kaylene Stallard-Holland


What a great guy Bruce is, who has so much love to share with his only son!

Reading the recent tragedies involving young New Zealand children it breaks my heart.  It has becoming a social norm.   A scary thought don"t you think?? 

But here is a man who is willing to move heaven and earth to provide for his son. Where is your heart?  The public of New Zealand need a good news story. We have already lost too many children to tragedy.

Don"t let Dylan be one of those.

Lisa


I have just watched Dylan"s story on 60 minutes and it just broke my heart.
 
I used to work at Cowboys in the Viaduct and I remember Bruce bringing Dylan down there when he was only a few weeks old. I also remember you coming down for a drink one day and telling me that Nil had taken Dylan back to Turkey. I would have never expected that she wouldn"t bring your beautiful little boy home again.

I am so sorry to hear of the nightmare that you have been going through being away from your little boy. It is the worst thing a mother could do to a father and also to a child. I can"t imagine the pain that you must feel.
 
I just wanted to let you know that you and Dylan are in my prayers and I hope that he will be returned to New Zealand very soon. He needs you as much as you need him. I am sure that God is on your side and will bring him back to you.
 
Warm regards
Katya


From everything I have read, it seems to me that the only reason Dylan is not back in New Zealand is because the New Zealand government bodies have not provided what is required by the Turkish government.

Dylan was born in New Zealand, both parents have New Zealand Citizenship and were married in New Zealand. Dylan should be here in New Zealand. If Gulsen Nil Laybourn still wants to dispute custody, it should be disputed in NZ and Dylan should never be allowed to be taken to another country.

Please do whatever the Turkish government needs you to do for this matter to be resolved.

Regards
Monique


This cant be right! How can our government convince themselves that they are doing their jobs when we have this situation in hand. This is a horrifying experience for him & I can understand his never-ending battle for his son. 

He has done & continues to do ALL he can & more to get his son returned home, but he is only 1 man. Us as a WHOLE country need to back him 110%, but most of all, the government needs to step in. If there was a time to start making changes to our country, now is when & where it should definitely begin.

I"m absolutely disgusted that a mother could be so cruel in this situation. This boy was not in harm’s way being with his father so I don’t feel that there was any reason to take & KEEP this little boy, from his father. & I COMPLETELY disagree with the fact that Turkish laws allow this crap. COME ON NZ, lets take a stand!!!

BRING DYLAN HOME!!!

Jasmin Savage


Just finished watching 60 Minutes and all I can say is God bless your soul Bruce. No parent should have to be put through this sort of pain.  I’m surprised that New Zealand officials did not intervene sooner?  I hope that the Prime Minister’s pleas will bring your son home (and soon!!).  Your story brings tears to my eyes and breaks my heart.

Dear Mr Key. I hope you read this and I also hope that you sit back and think about how you would feel if some one took your child away from you to a foreign country. I"m sure you would walk heaven and earth to bring them back!!!  Now thinking about this I hope that you make it your responsibility to walk heaven and earth with Bruce to bring home his little boy.

Best of Luck
Letesha


I have just finished watching the 60 Minutes documentary and want to applaud Bruce for putting up this fight for his son. I think that the New Zealand Government and the country in general should be doing everything possible to solve this situation. This is grossly unfair and cruel, not just to Bruce and his family but to the beautiful little boy who is missing out on spending time with his Daddy who clearly loves and misses him so very much and is also missing out on bonding with his big sister.

Helen Clark may have written a Letter but we have a new Prime Minister now. Mr Key who I think should step up too and get involved with this situation. New Zealand should be doing everything possible to bring Dylan home.

Bruce, you are amazing. Keep up the fight and know that one day he will be back where he belongs and he will be so proud when he is old enough to comprehend everything you have done for him. You are an AWESOME Daddy!

Danielle Gardner


It is disturbing and concerning to think and observer that a New Zealand citizen and his father are not protected especially given the special historical relationship between New Zealand and Turkey.

What duration of time does the New Zealand Government consider to be appropriate before it takes more drastic measures in this matter? What financial support that this father receive from New Zealand given that he is fighting on his own against a system in another country, a system that as a New Zealand citizen should receive help and support and not be left alone.

There is no need to have any questions answered, just think of what would you (in the Govt.) would want if your/your kids would be in this situation!!! How would it feel!!!

Alin Ungureanu


I find myself for the first time writing something in response to a media interview or news article. 

I am a mother of two young children and was very moved by the story on 60 Minutes tonight. It is terrible to do such a thing to a parent or caregiver especially knowing the pain it would cause - I don’t know how this could be forgiven. I hope that Dylan returns home to you in New Zealand very soon.

 I have sent a message to the prime minister and will wait for the good news that Dylan is returned to you in New Zealand.

A gorgeous little boy – my thoughts are with you and your family and I look forward to hearing your good news soon.
 
Kind regards
Megan Hall


I have just finished watching the 60 Minutes programme screened on TV3 this evening and would like to express my support in the return of Dylan back to his dad. I am a mum of a 7-year-old boy and I would hate to be separated from him and not be able to watch him grow.

Angela Grey


My name is Jasmin Savage & I’ve just come from watching your biggest efforts to fight for your son to come home. It saddens me as a mother, to know that this has happened to you. I feel pain & anger as I sit here thinking of how a mother could rob her son’s chance of growing up with his daddy. I feel sadden at the fact that the New Zealand government is still sitting on their behinds while time is ticking, but worst of all, I feel sick to my stomach to hear that the Turkish laws allow this kind of crap.
 
There has to be more we as a country can do for this situation. I’m absolutely horrified that this has gone on for so long & that you’ve had to fight this battle alone. Although I know how motivated you must be to get him back, this is a battle us as people, parents & humans need to support you on.
 
I don’t know how when or where, but I do know that no matter what, I am backing you 110%. The word is out there & there is no way people can avoid the truth in this situation, which is that this boy needs to be home with his daddy.
 
My deepest condolences go out to you as you continue this never-ending struggle to get your son home.
BRING DYLAN HOME..
 
Yours sincerely
Jasmin Savage


I can see from the photos that you love Dylan so much. I don"t think I have ever seen just one photo of my father holding me and he was always in my life. I am not religious, but I pray for your sake, and for all others that may face this dreadful situation, that right will prevail and Dylan will soon be back with you and back with all the Kiwis that may not have met Dylan, but still know that he deserves to be with his father and in the country that he was born in and has the right to live in.
 
Take care of yourself and know that a lot of people care and though we do not know your pain, we feel a part of it because as decent human beings, we have feelings and it hurts to see other good people in pain.
 
Love
Monique Henry


Just saw you on 60 Minutes and had to tell you how sorry I am to hear about sweet Dylan - what an absolute nightmare for you!

I really feel for you, good on you for fighting for your son"s right to spend time with his father!
 
Love always prevails  - and blood is thicker than bureaucracy ink!
Never give up hope, never stop loving Dylan, never stop keeping in touch.

Your son knows you are out there, no matter what else happens around him right now.

One day he will choose to come back to you!
 
Best wishes
Tamara


I just wanted to say, as a father myself, that my heart goes out to you. I can"t think of a situation to be in that could be worse. Nothing anyone can say can ease your pain but I wish you all the best with your fight for a relationship with your son. My son thinks Dylan does the haka well and might one day be an All Black!

As a lawyer I hope John Key and our government do everything possible to see The Hague Convention properly complied with.

Arohanui
Haamiora Raumati


To our great leader of New Zealand please help return Dylan home to his father they have both paid a price in trusting someone’s word. Please stand up and be counted on. Join us in paying it forward for our children’s children.

Fraser Penny


I watched TV3 60 Minutes and saw how distressing it is for you with 
your son Dylan being so far away. There is a great longing. I hope 
you can come to some arrangement that takes into account everyone"s needs and cultures.

I believe that children need both parents and that in the early years 
the mother is the child"s "earth".  I wonder how it would be for 
Dylan to be taken suddenly from his mother and the context he is used to.  Abandonment and strife are terrible for kids to grow up with.

I am also sure that sons and fathers need each other and to have 
loving relationships.

Best wishes and Kia Kaha
Helen Frances


I watched 60 Minutes tonight. I pray that God will guide your path and His plans for you and your beautiful son will be fulfilled. I have 2 children myself.

Hang in there, as silly as this may sound, God never gives us more than we can cope. The love you have for your son will keep your fight for him alive, I don’t know if you believe in God, if you can pray tonight, invite Him to your heart and watch Him work. He will go to places and do things no man can.

I can testify to this cause I am on a similar journey to you. It is only because of God that I am where I am today. I wish you all the best for you and your boy. He is absolutely beautiful.
God Bless, ask Him to step in for you.

Sharmini


I"m writing to ask that you consider getting involved in trying to bring Dylan home.

As a 37-year-old Kiwi Guy (who voted National) I have sat back and watched too many of my mates lose their kids, and then their pay packets.

My parents separated, mum took the kids (as happened back then), and I didn"t really understand what was happening. My dad was successful, above average income and gave us kids and mum the world. But I missed my dad, and I know my life would have been so different if I had been able to benefit from his advice, and definitely the security and level headedness when compared to what my life was to become as a kid with mum.

Please, please help Bruce.

Kids need their dads, especially boys. I get to see my dad now. And I call him every week - but growing up - kids need those years with their dad because they set the direction for life.

Please don"t hesitate to contact me if you need to verify that I’d like you to support Bruce with his bid to bring Dylan back

Yours sincerely
Warren Knott


To Mr John Key, please, as a new Prime Minister it is your job to help a little New Zealand citizen.

I am only a 13-year-old Filipino girl writing to you to help this little boy and his daddy to be together.

This is the only thing that I can do.

If you were at Mr Laybourn place, you would really feel sad, stressed and worried!

Please do something with this case and help Mr Laybourn!

We all beg to you Mr. John Key! Do something. Prove to the people that you cared for this boy and there wouldn’t have to feel ashamed that New Zealand failed to fight for the abducted boy. Please!

Thank you
Micah


I have a 12-month-old boy called Louis who is the sunshine of my life. He is the absolute world to me. I can’t even begin to imagine what Bruce is going through.

I voted for you Mr Key now show me that I made the right decision and please, please help a father get his little boy back.

Bruce, I hope you and Dylan are reunited soon, he such a beautiful little boy

Best wishes
Paul Maugham


I think every parent needs a fair chance and knowing and raising their own child. Why should abduction by a mother be treated any differently than abduction by a stranger?

Dylan should be brought home to his father. New Zealand is his place of birth and he can chose when he is older where he wants to be but for now he should be in New Zealand.

Deb Griffiths


Bring Dylan back.  The trouble he has gone through - help this man out and give him a break. 
 
Shayndia Wells


To whom it may concern,

Please, please help this Dad get back his son. It is honourable to think that he is not paying somebody to "snatch" him back and still thinking of his ex"s feelings. I would.

This is good man and he deserves his son back in New Zealand where he belongs - it is his right to have him brought back so why is this taking so long?

If our new Prime Minister, John Key, gets this then I plead with you to make this happen.

My heart aches for all concerned in this saga, but mostly for Dylan and his Daddy. No matter how much my ex makes me cross I could never take my children away from him. That is their Daddy.

Imagine what Dylan will think when he is older, how angry he will be!! One day he will be a grown man and I am sure this will mean so much to him and if his Mum continues to keep him he will end up hating her for it.

Both parents should have the right to custody and this should be decided in a fair and just way back on New Zealand soil. What the hell use are country’s agreements if they are not followed through and used?

Come on New Zealand, time is ticking and this needs to be sorted now!!! Not in 5 or 10 years time. Give Dylan and his Dad a chance.

K.Chamberlain
Bring Dylan Home Supporter



I have just watched your heart-wrenching story on 60 Minutes.
I am very saddened that your son has been taken away from you. What a beautiful son you have!

I am a mother of 3 young boys and I can"t imagine not been able to see them everyday. Neither can I imagine how it us for you not waking up in the mornings to see his beautiful face.

I"m just writing this email to you as support and that tonight before I go to bed, I will be praying for you both, and that the Lord will reunite you together very soon. I also pray that the Lord continues to give you strength.

I also see you have the same surname as myself. I"m married to Craig Laybourn. His family reside in Hikurangi. We live in Kerikeri. You could be a relation of his?

Anyway will be thinking of your plight to get your son back.

Tara Laybourn


I strongly urge the New Zealand Government to help re-unite a father with his son. I sincerely hope that our government will try to get Dylan home as soon as possible. No child deserves to be abducted from its parent/s, especially not for 18 months.

I cannot begin to imagine what Bruce is going through. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his son.

Please make every effort to bring this little boy back home.

Many thanks

Sam McInnes
New Zealand


I really hope you guys dig in to help this man no matter what. Dats what Kiwis are about.

Im going to ..

Just watching 60 Minutes I’ve been moved. This guy needs all the help he can get so come lets help him, we owe it to ... Kiwiana. Bring him home. Please do your best. What goes around comes around – karma. I hope this letter helps.

Bruce, i