A once-troubled teen has been recognised for his honesty after handing in an expensive camera and a tourist's holiday mementoes.
Justin Johnson, 16, was climbing St Paul's Rock last month when he found a Nikon SLR camera left atop the outcrop overlooking the Whangaroa Harbour.
He handed the camera in and police were eventually able to trace its owner, a delighted American visitor named Tom Ron. The $1200 camera held hundreds of photos and good memories of Mr Ron's travels around New Zealand.
Kaeo police were also delighted because the teen had previously come to their attention for the wrong reasons.
In July, Community Constable Richard Avery accompanied him and three other Kaeo youths to a five-day Blue Light camp in Auckland. The camp features a mix of physical challenges, outdoor survival skills and military-style training, geared at young people who have either had a brush with the law, need a break from home or show leadership potential.