Children accused of trashing couple's home

Brendon Hurihanganui and his partner Cara Walsh survived living in some of London's "dodgiest" areas. But two weeks in their Malfroy house in Rotorua and it has been allegedly trashed by two children aged 10 to 12.

The children's age and the ferocity of the attack have left the couple -- who only returned to New Zealand six months ago -- gutted.

The children allegedly:

* used a spade to smash their way through a ranchslider;

* threw a dive bottle through a window as neighbours tried to stop them;

* ripped up treasured photographs;

* swore and abused neighbours; and

* stole jewellery.

The couple had returned to New Zealand six months ago to settle down after their overseas experience.

"It's insane. They just went crazy," Mr Hurihanganui said.

He had gone home for lunch and had only just returned to his workplace, where he is a fitter welder, when he received a call from a neighbour that someone was inside his home.

"I can't believe this. We have travelled the world and lived in some of the dodgiest places in London and yet nothing like this has ever happened to us before. It's absolutely gutting," he said.

Mr Hurihanganui was appalled by the language the children used when confronted by a neighbour.

"One of them told her to "f*** off, b**ch" and then they just carried on.

The youngest of the children was caught with a backpack by neighbours but the other got away on his bike with another backpack of booty. Police know his identity.

Ms Walsh, a Lynmore Primary School teacher, said she found it difficult to understand why children were as destructive and unruly as the pair who allegedly broke into their home.

"I'm gutted. I teach kids and it's hard to believe such young kids could do so much damage. They have smashed everything," she said. "Where are the parents?"

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)