Four Irish tourists travelling in New Zealand have been robbed of their van at gunpoint at a campsite in the north island, police said today.
The men, believed to be brothers, were staying in a cabin in Dargaville, near Auckland, when they were approached by two masked gunmen.
The robbers, who were wielding a long barrelled firearm and a pistol, demanded the keys to their rented van then drove off in the vehicle.
The incident occurred at around 12.30am yesterday in Dargaville Campervan Park, which was full of people enjoying the holiday period known as Labour Weekend in New Zealand.
The campsite manager, who did not want to be named, said it was the first time he had heard of such an incident happening in the area.
He said the Irish men, believed to be brothers, had arrived at the ground late on Sunday night and had taken the last two available cabins.
They had then gone to the nearby Caltex petrol station for some food and the robbery had occurred shortly after their return, he said.
He added: “It is very unusual. It’s never happened before. It is not the sort of thing that happens in our area. It is totally out of character.
Police said the gunmen were described as Maori males in their twenties and thirties who were both wearing hoodies with scarves over their faces.
Anyone with information about the incident or anyone who saw two males fitting the description is asked to contact Dargaville Police.
PA