Camper has a run in with the Mongrel Mob

A 74-year-old German tourist may have to re-think his policy of pitching his tent anywhere but campsites after choosing an unfortunate plot.

The man, who is on his fifth cycling tour of New Zealand, says camp grounds are "full of young people and criminals".

He therefore set up camp in a Kawerau paddock on Friday evening at the back of what looked like a small factory unit.

The man knocked on the door of the factory but got no reply so set up camp anyway. However, when he returned from a bush walk on Saturday, he found much of his gear had been stolen.

A senior Kawerau police officer says it did not take long for police to work out what might have happened.

The field was part of the local Mongrel Mob headquarters.

The tourist has been re-equipped thanks to the generosity of police officers and a local Great Outdoors agent, who sold him replacement gear at a greatly reduced cost.

- NEWSTALK ZB