Backpackers Preyed Upon in Kerikeri

This post is reproduced with the kind permission of the author

"Backpackers the world over do tend to brush up against some seedier types. NZ is not alone. I can certainly attest to this from my own experience. However, I think a discussion on Backpacker Hostels in NZ would be most useful here, since a great number seem to operate in a most unsual manner."

Hostels in NZ used as half way houses?

"One Kiwi told me that a the majority of hostels within NZ are used as half way houses between prison and full release. I am not convinced that this is true, and found no evidence anywhere - but we all know how tricky it is to find evidence of anything of such damning significance in NZ. I think that the case is that many of the hostels a home to newly released prisoners, or public suffering from a range of mental illnesses. This is unquestionably true of the people I spoke with at a number of hostels in Northland. As a rough estimate I would say 75% of the people I spoke to exaplained that they were Locals, ex inmates, or they appeared in some way to have form of mental illness. (I'm not a Dr, or authorised to make that last comment, but I can express how it appeared to me)

Police called to attempted rapes at Kerikeri hostel

I also know of one instance, in a Backpackers hostel in KeriKeri, where a young girl was molested, in her bed at night by a known local boy, who had broken in. The police, when called explained the episode as 'high jinks' and made no effort to prosecute or even aprehend the young man. Three days later a different girl was attacked again, more violently this time.

Middle aged men 'working shifts' to manipulate yound girls

I also know of two men in KeriKeri, who 'work shifts' checking into any one of the town's hostels - taking turns attempting to manipulate young girls out of the hostel and back to their home. often with success. They do this with promises of drink, drugs, and the loan of a car. Whilst I appreciate that this kind of behaviour occurs in many seasonal towns around the world I have never heard of such predatory behaviour being celebrated by the 'sharks' wider circle of friends. Perhaps I am being overly judgemental when I say that I find the practise even more bemusing from men in their mid forties.

Backpacking in NZ is grimey

Like I said, I think Backpacking the world over has certain pitfalls and problems. However, the Kiwi flavour is strikingly grimey.

Police in other countries would be terrified that similar sexual assaults would reflect badly on their town, region, country. They would act! NZ is happy to sweep that 'nonsense' under the rug. If I had kids, I would not want them embarking on 'high jinks' in NZ.

And as an aside. When leaving NZ I spoke with two English lads, who had been backpacking around the country. I asked how they liked the place.

"Boring. We like our beer and that, but really, once you've jumped off one bridge and been on one speedboat what else is there to do here?"
"And the beers expensive p*ss"