Northland businessman appears in court

Mainstreet Lodge, Kaitaia. PICTURE/PETER DE GRAAF

A Northland business owner has appeared in court on 39 charges including drugging a victim to facilitate indecent assault and making of intimate visual recordings against 16 adult males.

Michael Harris, 56, appear in the Kaitaia District Court today and has been remanded in custody until September 18.

He faces 39 charges including aggravated wounding (drugging of a victim to facilitate an indecent assault), making of intimate visual recordings, possession of intimate visual recordings and indecent assault.

These charges relate to 16 adult male victims who stayed at the Main Street Lodge in Kaitaia. They are mostly overseas tourists aged between 18 and 25.

Police want to locate further potential victims following Harris' appearance.

Many of the victims are believed to have stayed temporarily in the main dwelling - the owner's residence - at the lodge over the past two and a half years. The business offers backpacking facilities, hotel units and, on occasion, longer term accommodation in the owner's residence.

Detective Senior Sergeant Rhys Johnston said police were at the very early stages of the inquiry:

"It is very important for us to speak to anybody who has stayed in the owner's residence over the last two and a half years," Mr Johnston said.

"These victims are unlikely to know that something has happened to them, although they may have suspicions. We will deal sensitively with them and offer all appropriate support required.

An 0800 number and an email address has been set up for people to contact police -- 0800 SNAP01 or 0800 762 701