Man accused of drugging backpackers at lodge

Accused man Michael Harris is led to the Kaitaia police station. Photo / Peter de Graaf / Northern Advocate

A Northland man who allegedly drugged male tourists before indecently assaulting them has appeared in court today.

Michael Harris, 56, faces almost 40 charges related to indecent assault carried out on 16 young men who were staying at a tourist lodge in Kaitaia.

The victims were mainly overseas tourists aged between 18 and 25, police said.

Harris faces a number of charges, including aggravated wounding related to allegedly drugging his victims to facilitate indecent assault, making intimate visual recordings, possession of intimate visual recordings, and indecent assault.

He was remanded in custody to appear in the Kaitaia District Court on September 18.

Many of the victims are believed to have stayed temporarily in the main dwelling of Main Street Lodge over the past two and a half years, police said.

The business offers backpacking facilities, hotel units and, on occasion, longer term accommodation in the owner's residence.

Police are continuing to investigate the allegations, and have asked for people to come forward.

"It is very important for us to speak to anybody who has stayed in the owner's residence over the last two and a half years," Detective Senior Sergeant Rhys Johnston said.

"These victims are unlikely to know that something has happened to them, although they may have suspicions.

"We will deal sensitively with them and offer all appropriate support required.

"This is an ongoing investigation and we have a lot of work ahead to assess evidence and establish if there are further victims we are not yet aware of."

A helpline number and email address have been set up so potential victims can get in touch with the investigation team.

Anyone with information, or who believes they may have been indecently assaulted, is asked to contact 0800 762 701 or operationsnap@police.govt.nz