A honeymooning British couple who lost all their belongings to thieves in Auckland this week have decided not to cut their travels short after receiving generous offers of help.
Steve and Katie Whiting, from Devon in south-west England, lost all their clothing, toiletries, books and gifts they hadbought for friends when their campervan was broken into at the underground carpark of Foodtown Downtown about 12.30pm on Tuesday.
Adding to their burdens, the pair are now also struggling to get any assistance from their travel insurance company for the $5000 worth of stolen property because there were apparently no visible signs of a break-in on the campervan.
The newlyweds had been in Auckland for only a day and planned to go to Rotorua on the day of the theft but considered cutting the trip short after the incident.
But police investigating the case told the Herald last night that the Whitings had decided to complete their trip after support from members of the public.
Brent Cooper, who owns three Auckland clothing stores called Jet, said he felt compelled to offer the couple clothing after learning of their plight in the Herald.
"They obviously had a rough introduction to New Zealand," he said.
Mr Cooper said his store manager told him that Mr and Mrs Whiting left his store "totally overwhelmed and speechless" after being given about $600 in clothes.
"She said they were absolutely delighted."
The couple returned with flowers to thank the manager, Mr Cooper said.
Police and the Herald have been inundated with offers for the couple, including a stay at a beach house and activities in Rotorua.
None of the couple's property had been recovered last night, police said.
