At first, the local word was Japanese diving instructor Takaishi Mamoru had quit the country after he was ripped off through some trickery involving the Hundertwasser toilets in Kawakawa.
Perhaps it was the language barrier, but there was genuine delight when we heard he was not only still in New Zealand, but back in Northland where he was treated to some fantastic local hospitality.
Takaishi's backpack, wallet and passport were pinched by a driver who gave him a lift from Whangarei to Paihia last Monday.
The driver dropped Takaishi at the famous toilets and took off.
Takaishi told the Advocate he made it from Queenstown to Kawakawa with no trouble, and wanted to keep going to finish his journey at Cape Reinga.