Good Samaritan steps up for tourist robbed at knifepoint

Police want to find this man in connection with the robbery. Photo / Supplied

A good Samaritan has stepped up to help a young Belgian tourist who was robbed at knifepoint.

The 22-year-old tourist was hitchhiking near Matamata on October 15, when the knife was pulled on him and his cash stolen.

Detective Sergeant William Loughrin said it was a cowardly attack, that "changed the victim's perspective of New Zealand forever".

The victim lost hundreds of dollars in cash, before being abandoned at the side of a rural highway.

But after reading about the incident, a Waikato local has contacted police saying they wanted to anonymously reimburse the tourist for the money that was stolen.

"They contacted police with their kind offer wanting to ensure that the victim leaves New Zealand knowing that most Kiwis are not like the person who attacked him last Sunday," Loughrin said.

While the story may have a happier ending for the tourist, police are still hunting the two men who robbed him.

Loughrin said they needed help from the community to track the men down, and hold them to account.

The two men allegedly involved in the robbery are described as being in their early 20s, driving a late model red Nissan Primera.

They are believed to have links to the Bay of Plenty, particularly Kawerau.

Police have recovered and publicly released CCTV pictures, saying they want to speak to the man in the images who has distinctive tattoos on his forearms.

The Nissan has a rear spoiler, and paint damage on the bonnet.

Anyone who saw the car or men in the Matamata area last Sunday is being asked to contact Detective Sergeant William Loughrin on 021 190 2963, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.