German backpacker overwhelmed by support

GRATEFUL: German backpacker Julius Wagner is overwhelmed by the messages of support from the New Zealand public after his unfortunate hitchhiking experience. PHOTO/DUNCAN BROWN.

Donations, travel packages and messages of support have flooded in for the German backpacker who lost everything in an unfortunate hitchhiking experience.

Julius Wagner who hoped to be in Taupo before the fruit picking season started in Napier, was overwhelmed by the response of the public.

"I am so grateful and can't believe how kind people I don't even know are."

"My Dad rung me up to tell me he saw the article this morning and how nice it is that people in New Zealand care about what happened."

The 18-year-old was left standing on the side of the road with nothing but the clothes on his back when a driver he hitched a ride with drove off with his bags.

He had been in the country for three weeks only on his first overseas experience.

A man who picked Mr Wagner up outside Napier Airport told him to get out of the car at Te Pohue and sped off with all his belongings including his passport, visa papers, bank card, camera and laptop.

With the help of the couple that owns the Te Pohue Hotel Mr Wagner was able to gather his thoughts and stay the night there before being driven back to Napier.

"They saw it all happen and rushed out to me. We then tried to catch the guy in a car but he had gone too far ahead."

"They were so friendly and kind and looked after me really well. The wife even drove me to Napier the next morning."

Now in Wellington, Mr Wagner has sorted his passport and gathered together some belongings to carry him through.

Yesterday Hawke's Bay Today received a number of donation offers for Mr Wagner.

An owner of a house in Auckland offered him a place to stay whilst others offered money to help fund what was taken from him.

"We drive that road a lot and my wife and I were shocked by what had happened so we just wanted to help out and make sure he was okay," one man said.

Kiwi Experience general manager Ben Lane has offered Mr Wagner a free bus network adventure pass which has 12 months of unlimited travel around New Zealand.

He said New Zealand prides itself on being a friendly, safe destination, especially for first time travellers.

"Like the rest of the country, we were saddened to hear of Julius' treatment. We hope that he'll see that New Zealanders are welcoming and friendly people, and he goes home with amazing memories of his time in our country."

Kiwi Experience's friends at the Legendary Black Water Rafting Co. have also generously offered him a Black Labyrinth underground cave adventure.

The Taupo mayor David Trewavas extended this kiwi kindness after hearing he wanted to pay a visit to the central plateau.

"I just want everyone to know we will look after him and give him that Taupo experience people enjoy. I don't want people to think our country isn't nice," Mr Trewavas said.

Mr Wagner has stuck with his plan and is hoping to jump on a bus and get to Taupo, even though it's a few days later.

"I can't wait to get there and although it was a bit of a nuisance coming to Wellington I have been able to do a bit of sightseeing which has been good."

He plans to stay in Taupo for a few days exploring the sights and visiting the Tongariro National Park before heading back to Napier in time for the apple picking season.