North unsafe, tourists told - Maori cop the blame

Northland tourism operators are horrified at claims that some travel agents overseas are warning against visiting the region because of "bashing and stealing" by Maori.
A former Whangarei woman said a Gold Coast, Australia, travel agent advised a group of customers, including her husband and herself, not to travel to Northland because of the possibility Maori would attack or rob them.
Apart from Northland and Rotorua the rest of New Zealand was safe, the agent told the group.
In Auckland en route to Whangarei, the woman met an American couple given the same advice in their home country when planning their New Zealand holiday.
But Northland tourism promoters were stunned to hear the region, and Maori in particular, might be getting a bad rap overseas. Rather than Maori being a turn-off for visitors to the region, culture-based tourism ventures were one of the region's fastest-growing attractions, according to Johnny Edmonds, chief executive of New Zealand Maori Tourism and chairperson of Tai Tokerau Maori Tourism and Culture Association.
Destination Northland manager Robyn Bolton, who travels to Australia and the United States to sell the region to the tourism industry wholesalers, said she had never come across race-based negative comments about Northland.
"I'm absolutely flabbergasted. If that impression were commonplace there is no doubt I would be hearing it back from the wholesalers, but it's something I've never heard. Regions that rely very heavily on tourism are aware they have to be vigilant about tourist-related crime. They know they have to have all parties on side.
"People come to Northland because of the history and heritage, and a major drawcard is the Maori culture." Ms Bolton said targeted theft from tourists was distressing but it was a type of crime that happened in every country.
Mr Edmonds said a few incidents might cloud the region's reputation, but there was little the industry could do to stop "knee-jerk reactions" that reinforced some personal perspectives.
"It takes an incredible amount of energy and goodwill to build up a positive impression and it only takes one or two incidents to completely undo that.
"But if there is some substantive base to suggestions that companies are advising clients Northland is not a safe place then we in the industry have to take some initiatives. Our response would be one of welcoming an opportunity to share information with these companies."
The former Whangarei resident, "Rosemary", said she was hurt when her Gold Coast travel agent told customers that Maori made Northland an unsafe travel destination.
But she was more upset later during a visit to Whangarei with her husband, when teenagers in Cameron St told the couple to "f--- off" and spat at them.
She would not name the travel company that had warned customers off visiting Northland, saying the agent's comments had been "off the record". "But I was very upset by it and told my husband that it just wasn't true."
The couple went ahead with plans to visit Whangarei so her husband could see the "beautiful" part of New Zealand where she grew up. She was further disappointed when a chance meeting with an American couple in Auckland revealed they had also been warned off Northland and Rotorua when booking their trip "because of the Maoris".
"They'd been told that if you're wearing it they'd take it off your back; if you had a car, don't leave it or it would get stolen or broken into; if you're carrying anything, hang on tight; if you look at them the wrong way they'll bash you."
"Rosemary" told her husband the allegations were racist and unfounded. But after being sworn and spat at for asking some Maori teens sitting in Cameron St to move over so her husband could rest an injured ankle he now believes the agent was right, "Rosemary" said.
"It was disgusting, shocking ... and now my husband thinks what they're saying about Northland is true. It breaks my heart."
* Safe and sound in Northland
The Northern Advocate cruised the carpark at Whangarei's Tarewa Park information centre - scene of a fracas at the weekend witnessed by a busload of tourists - to find out if tourists had been warned about crime in Northland, and how safe they feel travelling around the region.
David Carter, retired, England: ``We feel safe. Everybody's been very nice. It's a fallacy. It's probably just the Australians trying to take over your tourists! I've been all round the world, and I don't think I've seen a more beautiful country.''
Kim Steven, supermarket worker, Australia: ``Really? I haven't heard any warnings. The places we've stopped at so far have been fine.''
Norma Caffell, retired, England: ``We feel very safe. We'd never go anywhere on our own in England, but we do here. I don't know about it if I was in Auckland, though.''
Dave Ciliberto, budding photographer, New York, USA: ``It's the first time I've really travelled around a foreign country by myself and it's been great. I've met some lovely locals. I've asked for help a lot and people have been great. I can't say that was the same in Sydney, but here I feel I can ask anyone.''