Shooting shatters ‘safe NZ’
A freedom camper’s death on New Zealand’s idyllic west coast illustrates a false perception that tourists are safe, a former detective says.
Bruce Couper, who now works as a security specialist, said there is a common misconception among visitors that New Zealand is a safe haven.
On Friday, Australian man Sean McKinnon and his fiancee were sleeping in a van at Te Toto Gorge car park when he was shot by an intruder.
McKinnon’s partner, Canadian woman Bianca Buckley, fled more than two kilometres along a rugged gravel road to get help at a nearby property.
‘‘This is not an isolated incident – it may be random, but it’s not an isolated thing,’’ Couper said.
He said those who promote tourism in New Zealand weren’t giving visitors the full picture and in some cases, were downplaying some of the dangers.
‘‘I think they’re being irresponsible.
‘‘And what it does is, it gives tourists, people who turn up in New Zealand, a false perception [of safety].’’
He said part of the blame lays with the Government, specifically in public places, as there is little or no signage to warn people of the risk of theft or assault, or any form or security.
‘‘If you look at police statistics of tourist hot spots in remote areas, there are issues where people who are trampers and hunters are all concerned about leaving their vehicles there when they go away because there’s a big chance they’ll be broken into, stuff’s taken, their vehicles are broken into, wheels are gone or whatever.
‘‘And it sort of exposes the underbelly of New Zealand society, that if there’s an opportunity, [offenders] will exploit it.’’
Couper said CCTV, signage and thermal imaging should be used in remote locations, especially those known to be frequently visited by tourists.
This will not only deter criminals, but it will make tourists aware and alert.
‘‘We’ve seen that with homicides [of tourists] in New Zealand. They come here and they’re of the belief that it’s clean, green and completely benign and there is no threat or crime.
‘‘Well, this is not Singapore and this is not Japan – it’s New Zealand.
‘‘Yes it’s safer than a lot of places in the world where people are very wary and go with their guard up but they tend to come here with their guard down.
‘‘And I think that’s a real issue with us.
‘‘I don’t mean to scaremonger tourists, but we are duty bound to give them some better information.’’
Tourism New Zealand spokeswoman Candice Johansen said visitor safety was a police issue and would not comment further.
Couper believes tourists should be able to camp where they like.
‘‘Private spaces will have to look after themselves but these public spaces, where there’s a risk, we want people to be able to park at the beach at Mahia or wherever, but you also want them to be a little bit safer and aware than they are at the moment.’’
He said he wanted to be careful about speculating what happened at Te Toto carpark, but said if people ever encounter an armed gunman, the best course of action was to comply.
‘‘But if they are a distance away, it’s run, flee, get away – it’s not rocket science.
‘‘The problem is that most people have never been in a life threatening situation and so, their stress response might help them. Stress response will enable you to either run fast or fight till the death.
‘‘Run fast is a pretty good bloody option. Especially with a gun involved.’’
On learning of the killing on Friday, Waikato District Mayor Allan Sanson said New Zealand was a safe place but freedom campers often chose to camp in secluded locations which ‘‘is probably not a very wise thing to do.’’ ‘‘Freedom campers are camping in isolated places and they should be camping in and around the town.’’
Waikato dairy farmer Andrew McGiven, who is president of Waikato Federated Farmers, said rural New Zealand was not as safe as it used to be.
McGiven said the outskirts is where you can find the ‘‘unsavoury elements moving out from town’’ and said methamphetamine had a big part to play with a lot of crime happening rurally.
A police media spokeswoman said police want people who choose to freedom-camp in New Zealand to be safe and feel safe.
‘‘However, this requires all of us to keep an eye out for anything or anyone that might prevent this.
‘‘It is important to be aware of your surroundings and think carefully before camping in secluded areas.’’