Theft ruins German tourists' visit

Four German tourists exploring New Zealand on a dream holiday are thinking of cutting their trip short after thieves stole all of their belongings.

The van that Julia Egleder, Petra Segl, Stephanie Moeller, all 20, and Ursla Kronfeldner, 19, were travelling in was stolen from central Rotorua, leaving them with little more than the clothes they were wearing.

This is the latest in a string of thefts in which tourists to Rotorua have lost everything.

The women had been to dinner on Saturday night and initially thought they had the wrong street when they could not find their black 1987 Mitsubishi L300 van, registration NP9441.

Then they realised that everything they had, including the van they called home, had gone.

The theft happened just hours after they had arrived in the city. Miss Moeller said they thought they had done everything they could by parking the van in the centre of town, but they would now advise anyone who asked them not to come to Rotorua.

The four hope they will get their van back - or at least the most important things, such as photographs and diaries. If not, they may have to cut their New Zealand holiday short.

They had planned to stay until February.

Cactus Jack Backpackers has provided free accommodation for the women for the next few days.

- NZPA