Attack hits NZ's safe image

Far North Mayor Wayne Brown said he was alerted to the attack by members of his staff working in China. Photo / Northern Advocate

An attack on three visiting students has been condemned for besmirching New Zealand's international reputation as a safe destination.

The trio were on a visit to Ninety Mile Beach when they stopped to help two men who claimed they were lost. The two men then robbed them.

The attack happened on Friday afternoon as the two Chinese women and one man were driving along a gravel road which runs down to the beach.

After the tourists pulled over, they were assaulted by two Maori men in a maroon coloured station wagon. The pair threatened them with knives and robbed them of their money and possessions.

"It was the worst possible thing that could have happened to them when they went out of their way to help these two men," said Kaitaia Detective Sergeant Trevor Beatson. "They had come to New Zealand fully believing it was a safe place to holiday and now their holiday and impressions of our country have been shattered."

Far North Mayor Wayne Brown said he was alerted to the attack when employees he had working in China rang to say it was being reported there.

"I have staff working in China and they have already contacted me to tell me the attack was on the news up there. The Chinese haven't heard of Northland, or Taupo or Taranaki but they have heard of New Zealand. I want to hear leaders of all sectors, not just the police, saying this is not acceptable and doing something about it because it is a national issue."

This incident is the latest in a series of attacks on tourists that has tarnished New Zealand's image.

In January, Dutch authorities issued a travel warning about "serious crime" in New Zealand after two Dutch tourists were raped in separate incidents.

In January, a 22-year-old woman was raped at the Five Mountains Holiday Park in Tuatapere, west of Invercargill. In 2006, another Dutch woman was attacked with her partner in a campervan, west of Paihia.

Among other more serious crimes was the horrific murder of Scottish tourist Karen Aim, who was killed in January 2008.

Labour tourism spokesman Kelvin Davis urged friends and family of the assailants to turn the men into police.

"Tourism is so important to New Zealand in terms of being our biggest export market. One in 10 New Zealanders are employed in tourism and we have to do everything we can to protect our 100 per cent pure image."

"Good Samaritans turn up, go give you a hand and you ambush them and attack them - it is as low as you can get."

Neither Prime Minister John Key - who is Tourism Minister - or anyone from Tourism New Zealand were available to comment on the attack.

Anyone with information about the Northland attack can contact Detective Sergeant Beatson of the Kaitaia Police on 408 6500 or 027 223 2628.