Hairy Berry Backpacker Hostel manager Tracey Wallace-Hutchins is finding it hard to get in the festive spirit after a group of backpackers allegedly burned down the hostel's Christmas tree.
Parts of the Christmas tree that was allegedly burned down. Photo: supplied.
Twenty three backpackers were evicted from the Te Puke hostel on December 21 after the two-metre artificial Christmas tree was removed from the hostel lounge and set on fire during what Tracey calls a reckless party between mostly German and French backpackers.
Tracey says many other tourists were asleep when thick toxic smoke filled the hostel about 1.30am.
'People evacuated the building gasping for clean air. Many suffering with sore throats and eyes the following day describing the event as the most horrific event they had experienced.
'Who in their right mind burns a Christmas Tree days before Christmas?”
While the fire alarm sounded, Tracey says someone broke into the secured fire alarm system box and pulled wires out.
'They tampered with and disabled sirens in various rooms and the entire fire alarm and backup system.”
She says four people can be identified on CCTV camera smoking inside, deliberately covering up the cameras and carrying out the Christmas tree from the lounge.
A technician from Argus checked the fire alarm system on Sunday to enable the hostel to continue to operate.
But the hostel's Christmas tree was unable to be saved. 'We've lost our beautiful big Christmas tree.”
Backpackers were seen rolling on top of the Christmas tree. Photo: supplied.
Tracey doesn't know the full extent of the cost of the damage, but wants the person, or persons, responsible brought to justice.
'They should not be allowed to hide behind a conspiracy of silence. They should have their working holiday visas revoked and be kicked out of the country.
'We don't want unruly reckless toxic tourists killing our hospitality, business and generally spoiling things for all the nice well decent tourists.”
Tracey believes most of the tourists have moved on now to other parts of the country and she's warned other backpackers of the incident.
Tauranga Police community constable Matt Elliot says police attended the incident and no arrests have been made.
Photo: supplied.
4 comments
Pay the Price
Posted on 26-12-2014 15:12 | By space cadet
Presumably the same mechanisms will apply as for fine defaulters that try to leave the country. Provided the information has been gathered and passed on to Police there should be a wee problem for them trying to exit the country???
what a disgrace!!
Posted on 26-12-2014 15:24 | By Tyraone
How dare they!!! I agree revoke their visa's and kick them out of the country We dont need these uncivilized louts here in NZ. All the hostel was doing is showing a b it of Xmas cheer and to have this happen is deplorable and disgraceful in my opinion.
Reparation
Posted on 27-12-2014 09:58 | By morepork
The people responsible should pay for the damage and be put on warning that any further misbehaviour will result in deportation. These people must be known so there is no excuse for letting them get away with it. Youthful high spirits (possibly alcohol induced) is one thing; wilful damage is another.
Leaving town Laughing...!
Posted on 27-12-2014 17:06 | By TraceyWallace
More powers needed please... tourists like this leave a trail of disturbance, damage, and unpaid fines (... when authorities bother to prosecute, that is)... oh and no there are NO mechanisms that apply for tourists... Pay the Fine or Pay the Price only applies to NZers. In fact Police don't even bother to collect the evidence!!! why??? because travelers can just as easily simply leave the country to escape justice. Come on I totally agree with you Tyraone, visas need to be revoked and kick them out with a deportation order before they have a chance to escape justice. Maybe then they will wake up and behave like law abiding people.
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