Driver takes off with backpackers' luggage

Two Danish backpackers lost their belongings when a man they had hitched a ride with took off with their things.

The women, 23-year-old Anika Christiansen and 20-year-old Johanna Johnsen, had hitchhiked with the man from Rotorua to Tauranga on Monday.

"He seemed very normal," Ms Johnsen told the Bay of Plenty Times yesterday.

"I had to open the door for her [Anika], as soon as she got out he drove off with the doors open," Ms Johnsen said. "Anika has nothing but the shorts she's in."

The women have no passports, clothing or tickets and they were due to leave New Zealand on March 20.

They are thankful they have travel insurance and will be in touch with the Danish embassy.

Ms Johnsen said they couldn't believe what was happening when the man drove off.

"I thought, 'this is not right, he's coming back or something'," she said.

"Then we kind of panicked, I suppose."

They reported the theft to the police and contacted a family they knew.

"We've had so many good experiences here in New Zealand," Ms Johnsen said.

"Some really great people have picked us up, this guy just ruined everything for us.

"The worst thing is that Anika lost all of her pictures from the last two months that she's been in New Zealand."

Ms Johnsen said she was here over Christmas and received precious gifts from family back home. "Those things just mean the world to me, and he can't use it for anything."

They described the car as a saloon-type grey or brown car, but did not know the licence plate. The man, a European, was in his early 20s.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES