Victims bear no grudges

NO HARD FEELINGS: Scott Kelleher (left) and Jacob Ulgenes after their discharge from Middlemore Hospital - a couple of bad people have not spoiled New Zealand. PICTURE / JASON OXENHAM

Two American tourists who were assaulted in Paihia less than 48 hours after they arrived in New Zealand won't be taking a grudge with them when they fly to Australia tomorrow.

Twenty-two-year-old Jacob Ulgenes, speaking from Auckland's Middlemore Hospital after reconstruction of his broken jaw, said the attack had "disrupted" his and Scott Kelleher's Northland tour, but it had been a minor setback. He and his 23-year-old companion were in "pretty good spirits."

"Everyone has been so apologetic, and I want people to know we're not going to judge the people of New Zealand based on an isolated incident with a couple of bad people," he said.

The two men, who had not been out of North America before, were with other travellers in the carpark outside the Bay Adventurer Backpackers at 3am on Saturday when a car pulled up. A German woman in the group made a joke about the brightness of the car's lights, and a woman in the car became aggressive.

When Mr Ulgenes tried to calm her he was punched in the jaw by a man, one of two people who appeared to arrive in the car with the woman, while Mr Kelleher was knocked unconscious, suffering a badly cut lip that later needed stitches.

After a night at Bay of Islands Hospital in Kawakawa the pair drove to Middlemore, with a friend from Montana. Mr Ulgenes' jaw was repaired with five titanium plates and 14 screws.

Meanwhile, police said on Tuesday that they were investigating a "person of interest" they believe may have been involved in what a spokesman described as a vicious, unprovoked attack. Senior Sergeant Peter Robinson said they were following up on a vehicle, while a woman was assisting the inquiry.

"We're also looking at a person of interest," he said, adding that the attacker's motive was not yet known. It appeared to be an act of aggression rather than a robbery. The offender was thought to be from the Bay of Islands.

Anyone with any information, or who was in the Kings Road area at about 3am on Saturday, was urged to call the police in Kerikeri on (09) 407-9211.

Business Paihia chairman Craig Johnston said every facet of the town was "horrified and up in arms" over the attack. Such thuggery could have an extremely negative effect on tourism, the lifeblood of Paihia's economy.

"Unfortunately the sort of people who do these things have no concerns about the effects on a small town like ours. I also really feel for the poor guys who have been bashed," Mr Johnston said.

He was at a loss to know what more the community and businesses could do. Focus Paihia had installed CCTV and the town's police presence had increased after a meeting with the Far North area commander.

Bars could be asked to increase security, but almost all incidents occurred well after closing time.

Focus Paihia chairman Grant Harnish said police were examining footage from security cameras the group had installed on Kings Road as a deterrent after an earlier incident. While they did not stop problems entirely, he hoped in this case the images would lead police to the offenders.

Mr Ulgenes' father, Brad Ulgenes, a Lutheran pastor in the Montana town of Helena, has asked to be put in touch with his son's attacker when he is found so he can offer his support and forgiveness.

"When unprovoked violence is experienced or heard about it shakes a person and a community to the core and raises fear in our hearts," he said.

"Fear creates distrust and destroys community. But the kindness and love that Jake and his buddies have experienced in New Zealand have lessened our fears, and has reminded me that there are good people all over the world as well."

It was difficult when his own son, a "kind and trusting kid" who had worked as a Bible camp counsellor, had been assaulted to follow Jesus' teaching to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you", but Jacob had the privilege of being raised in a loving, caring home.

"I feel sorry for the young man or men that attacked him, and wonder what kind of 'home' they have experienced or what personal problems led to their violent outburst," Mr Ulgenes said.

"I have forgiven him and will pray for him, and hope that some day he will experience love that can transform his life."

-Friends in need - letters page 4.