The mother of a Whangārei teen shoved off a wharf in Onerahi earlier this week says the wave of generosity her son has received is a sign of an "amazing" community spirit.
Diane Coleman's 16-year-old son was fishing off Onerahi wharf's floating pontoon on Wednesday afternoon when two men approached him and asked to learn how to cast a line.
As the keen angler moved to demonstrate the skill, one of the men shoved him into the water before the pair fled with the $30 that was in his wallet.
Prior to the incident the teen had warily watched the duo repeatedly toss a labradoodle-like puppy off the wharf's gangway and into the water.
He said the men who were drinking at the time, filmed their antics with the poor pooch who they kept with them when they fled.