Thanks for your support Northland

Japanese visitors ripped off in Whangarei at the weekend are coming back to enjoy tourism treats offered free by generous Northlanders.

The visitors returning have been offered a free itinerary that so far includes:

• 
  A trip on Perfect Day courtesy of Jeroen Jongejans and Dive Tutukaka.
• 
  Dinner at Schnappa Rock, Tutukaka - thanks Nick Keene and Esther Eves.
• 
  Accommodation at Tutukaka Holiday Park and Whangarei Top 10 Holiday Park.
• 
  Access to Adventure Forest at Glenbervie - thanks Francois Saparelli.
• 
  Their choice of cruises at Explore NZ from Matt Bell.
• 
  Accommodation and meals at Arches Lodge at Parua Bay.
• 
  Free access to Clapham's Clock Museum.
• 
  Meals and a cruise aboard skipper Danny Clement's Twilight Bay launch in Whangaroa.

The Advocate will throw in some petrol vouchers as well - and our thanks to the individuals who have offered accommodation and messages of support.

Japan is regarded as a safe country to travel to - so is New Zealand, most of the time.

I'd love to be able to say all five girls are returning but they're not. Some were so traumatised they don't want to return. You know, I'd think twice too if it was me. But congratulations to the businesses, community leaders and readers who fronted to help redress the girls' bad experience. They had saved hard and planned to spend a week here - one hour after they arrived, their week was wrecked.

However they'll be going home with happier memories now and you should be proud of contributing to that.