Holiday park attack brings warning for parents

The vicious attack on a young girl at a Turangi holiday park has prompted a warning for parents to be observant and cautious with their children during the holidays.

Police are investigating a vicious assault on a 5-year-old tourist who was staying at Turangi's Club Habitat holiday park on Wednesday night.

The young European girl was attacked by an intruder who had come into the caravan she and her 3-year-old brother were asleep in, locked himself inside with her and attacked her on Wednesday night around 10pm.

She was left unconscious, suffered serious injuries mainly to her head and face and had four hours of surgery at Waikato Hospital on Thursday.

Rotorua residents believe the casual Kiwi holiday attitude is a real danger and parents should be extra careful of watching their kids this holiday season.

Rotorua dad Barry Grouby has two sons and has taken them camping every summer for the past 15 years.

"We think New Zealand is super safe but [the attack] has proved we need to be more observant and more cautious," he said.

He said it should serve as a warning for all parents this holiday season.

Local mum Michaela Morris said the only way to know your children were safe was to keep them in your sights at all times.

Australian tourist Rob Kemp, who was visiting Rotorua with his two children, said he would never leave them alone.

"But it's different when you're camping. You're on holiday so you get relaxed."

The victim's parents, who have chosen to remain anonymous, were using the computer in an amenity block just metres away from the caravan where the attack took place.

Top 10 Holiday Park Rotorua owner Dave Adams said comprehensive security was the key to holiday park safety.

The park has 2m-high iron fencing around the property perimeter, security cameras and lighting which cost between $40,000 to $50,000 to set up.

"It's expensive but worth it."

He said it was illegal to leave children under 14 alone at home in New Zealand and it was no different leaving children alone on holiday. "When I see guests leave their children asleep they check on them every 10 to 15 minutes," he said.

"And I've seen some take baby monitors with them so they can leave the kids and still hear if they wake up or anything happens."

Detective Inspector Mark Loper said the crime scene examination and area searches were ongoing.

"Police are aware of some house parties that were held in Turangi on Wednesday night and the people at those parties will be spoken to."

Yesterday the girl's family acknowledged the hundreds of messages they had received from the public.

They said physically the girl was "doing better" and had started playing and drawing in bed.

A trust fund has been set up at Westpac Bank, account number 03-1555-0150947-00 under the name Operation Turangi.

Written messages of support can also be emailed to news@waikatodhb.health.nz and will be passed on to the family.