KEY POINTS:
Two vicious attacks on tourists within a few days because of their accents has tourism authorities worried about the damage to New Zealand's image.
But Irish tourist Robbie O'Brien, 31 - the latest victim of the violence - says the country should not get a bad rap because of such incidents.
"No matter where you go in the world, you are going to meet a few arseholes, " he told the Herald.
Mr O'Brien was punched to the ground and kicked in the head while out in Westport, on the West Coast, early on Sunday. About a week earlier, a group of English and Danish tourists were set upon by a group of people in central Christchurch - two suffering knife wounds.
In both cases, police say the attacks appear to have been sparked by people simply taking offence at their foreign accents. Charges have been laid over both attacks.
Mr O'Brien had to have stitches to cuts on his face and head after being assaulted, allegedly by Westport man Jarrod Akapita Whata, 20.
"I was talking to the guy and as soon as he saw me talk he just attacked me. There was no build-up."
Tourism New Zealand said the attacks on tourists because of the way they spoke was worrying and could damage the country's reputation, said spokeswoman Cas Carter.
"These incidents do get reported overseas, which is a concern of ours. On an international scale, despite this New Zealand is still seen as a safe place, which sometimes is a problem for us because sometimes people come here and let their guard down."
The South Island attacks come in the aftermath of the murder of Scottish tourist Karen Aim in Taupo in January, and the sexual assault of a 27-year-old English woman last month in the Bay of Islands.
Mr O'Brien said despite the experience, he had decided to extend his stay in New Zealand to do the things he missed out on because of the assault.
