A 40-year-old man has been arrested and charged with theft after allegedly stealing from tourists staying at a Whangarei backpackers hostel.
The alleged thefts occurred on Sunday while those staying at the hostel were attending an anti-family violence concert at the ITM stadium in Whangarei.
Items stolen included clothes, sleeping bags, credit
cards and cash taken from three tourists.
Whangarei police Sergeant Anaru Roberts said all the items, except for a sleeping bag, had been returned to owners who came from America, China and Europe.
The man had stayed at the backpackers before and "knew it like his own house," Mr Anaru said.
Under law, hostels are not allowed to lock rooms in case of fire.
"As far as we are aware there were no lockable doors."
The manager of the hostel, who did not want to be named, said the man arrested for the thefts had stayed at the hostel previously.
The unfortunate incident was a reminder that visitors should not be lulled into a false sense of security in New Zealand.
"They should be quite vigilant in terms of their property," she said. "They feel so safe here, but even New Zealand has people that lurk around."
