The "devastated" owners of the Southland campground where a Dutch tourist was raped will close it as a result of the incident.
The 22-year-old was attacked early on Thursday as she and her 25-year-old partner slept in their station wagon at the Five Mountains Holiday Park in Tuatapere,
west of Invercargill.
A 25-year-old man was granted name suppression when he appeared in the Invercargill District Court yesterday. Police said more charges were likely and they were not seeking anyone else.
Campground owners Zane and Tina Barrett said they were "absolutely devastated" by the attack and would close at the end of March.
"We help a lot of young people out and try and give them work and this is just a massive blow to us," said Tina.
"We are very good friends of the [defendant's] family and our hearts go out to his mum. It is heartbreaking for them." Zane added: "The whole community feels pretty let down. It is such a stupid, mindless thing to have done."
The accused was dobbed in by his mother, who recognised the filleting knife and tea towel allegedly used in the attack as hers when she saw them pictured in an internet news report.
Police allege the accused broke into the tourists' car at 6.40am, raped the woman and stole about $700.
Invercargill Detective Scott McKenzie said the man was under suspicion before his mother intervened. He said the couple were being looked after in the Southland area yesterday and were deciding whether to continue their holiday.
"Given the horrific nature of the crime they appear to be coping reasonably well. Obviously they are delighted and relieved at the arrest of the offender but I imagine it is a surreal situation for both of them.
"It may not have fully sunk in yet."
McKenzie said the couple greatly appreciated the offers of accommodation and financial support from people locally and nationally, and particularly from New Zealand's Dutch community.
