Community rallies to save couple's holiday

Northland's Hokianga community has rallied round to help resurrect a German couple's New Zealand holiday after they were robbed.

On Monday last week, while the middle-aged couple were out walking, thieves broke into their campervan at Omapere and stole a large amount of cash, camera gear and personal items, said Constable Rhys Dempster of Rawene police.

A local doctor, who speaks fluent German, helped translate for the police.

"Without this translation things would have been very difficult for police as the couple was highly upset," said Mr Dempster.

Hotel owners offered free accommodation and meals to the couple and contacted other businesses to alert them to the possibility that someone may try and use the foreign currency and stolen credit cards.

Locals found a large amount of camera gear lying on the side of the road about 2km from the scene of the theft and the next day the remaining money and gear was located.

The couple did not want to continue their tour at first but after the great hospitality shown by the communities of Omapere and Opononi they were left with a different perspective of Northland, Mr Dempster said.

They have continued on their trip around New Zealand.

Mr Dempster said the "bush telegraph" also worked well and a number of key suspects were soon identified.

Three people have been arrested following the theft, he said.

- NZPA