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A 29-year-old Tokomaru Bay man handed himself in to police this morning and has been charged with the sexual attack of two tourists on Friday.
He will appear in Gisborne District Court this afternoon to face three charges of sexual violation and two of assault.
The attack happened about 1am on Friday morning, when a man forced his way into the women's campervan, which they had parked by the beach at Tokomaru Bay, north of Gisborne.
Detective Sergeant Kevin Ford, of Gisborne police, said the pair in their late teens, were subjected to indecencies over a two-hour period by a dark-skinned man.
Police described it as a "sickening" attack.
Mr Ford told NZPA that he had spoken to the arrested man this morning on a cellphone but at that point did not know exactly where the man was.
Police told him he had the morning to give himself up or have his details and photo distributed publicly.
The man presented himself to Gisborne police station about 11am, Mr Ford said.
He said he was "very pleased" with the arrest and wanted to thank the small Tokomaru Bay community for their support and co-operation.
Locals told police they were appalled by what had happened in the sleepy settlement.
"We consider ourselves to be one big family up the Coast, and everybody thinks it is just horrible that it could happen here," said Jenny Jones, who works at the Tokomaru Bay dairy and camping ground.
"We like to consider ourselves a safe community."
She said she was concerned the attack could give the area a bad name, which would be "devastating".
"We like freedom campers. They stay and spend money ... it's good for us."
The women, who received minor injuries in the attack, arrived in New Zealand 10 days ago for a month-long holiday before returning to Britain to study.
They were checked by a doctor and spent the weekend in a Gisborne motel before leaving this morning to continue their travels. "They are remarkable women," Mr Ford said.
"They have been amazed at the generosity of everyone since this happened and wanted to pass on their thanks."
Mr Ford said they had been inundated with offers of assistance and accommodation.
The police investigation will continue. Forensic examination of the campervan and the lay-by where it was parked has been completed but the results will not be known for some time.
- NZPA
