They even took the kids' togs

A family of six from the Waikato are enjoying the last few days of their holiday at Te Kohanga (Shipwreck Bay), Ahipara, although they had to make a quick trip into Kaitaia on Tuesday thanks to thieves who called in the wee small hours that morning.

The thieves, who Ian Harris suspects entered the camp from the beach, helped themselves to clothes, some of which were waiting to be washed.

"They even took the kids' togs," he said.

"We had to go into town this morning to buy some more before the kids could go swimming."

A Rotorua family camped nearby lost alcohol and a child's polystyrene surfboard, which spoiled one youngster's holiday, the thieves emptying food from the victims' chilly bins to cart the former away.

"Our fridge is inside the tent so at least they didn't get our food," Ian added, "but they came right to the tent to take the clothes." Tracy thought she had heard a noise around 2.30am, but it was very windy and she took no notice.

A pair of daughter Katrina's shoes were discarded nearby, but Ian lost a VW car show T-shirt of a couple of years' vintage that he won't be able to replace.

Both families praised the efforts of the camp owners/hosts to ensure they enjoyed themselves, and neither had any complaints about security. And they were intent on enjoying the rest of their holidays.

The Rotorua family, who did not wish to be named, said all was "OK now," that the theft had been a one-off and that the camp was a good place to be. "It's primo," the lady of the tent said.

Ian Harris was philosophical too, although he wasn't overly impressed that he hadn't seen the police more than eight hours after the thefts were reported.