Mexico could be safer than New Zealand for tourists
After reading the news about Roberto Arteaga, a young Mexican lawyer who was robbed at gunpoint in Hawke’s Bay (a known gang stronghold), one could be forgiven for wondering whether he’d have been safer remaining at home. Tourist attacks and robberies are commonplace in New Zealand, each one adds further damage to the country’s crumbling reputation as a safe tourism destination.
The local media writes:
“The 30-year-old man was picked up on State Highway 2 at the Napier-Taupo Road turnoff, just north of Napier by three men in a ute.
The car was driven north towards Wairoa and stopped at Tutira for petrol.
The driver pulled the car over at the top of the Mohaka Hill near Raupunga about 2.30pm. The tourist was ordered out of the car with one of the car’s occupants pointing a pistol at him.
The car, which was carrying the hitch-hiker’s possessions, including a cellphone and a camera, then drove away…” more
Our condolences go out to the victim, one of many tourists to have fallen foul of New Zealand’s casual criminal element.
The following day police arrested three males aged 17, 19 and 22. Until their trial we’re unlikely to know which gang they were prospecting for. They are due to appear in court later this week and are charged with aggravated robbery.
Have you got any Mexico v. New Zealand stories you’d like to share with us. The two countries are often compared, usually with Mexico receiving more favourable reviews.
Other Hawke’s Bay stories you may be interested in:
Meat Cleaver used in gang turf brawl :
Rival gang members took to the streets in central Hastings yesterday, armed with a hammer, meat cleaver and an axe during a brazen daylight brawl which landed seven men in jail.
Police received, “multiple calls,” from concerned residents who reported at least 10 men fighting on the corner of Eastbourne St and Willowpark Rd, about 1.30pm, Senior Sergeant Luke Shadbolt said….
Evil New Zealand gang comes to Melbourne and bikies won’t like it : Mongrel Mob, first formed in Hawkes Bay
AN infamous New Zealand street gang is recruiting in Melbourne’s outer west, causing further unrest in the tense bikie underworld.
The Mongrel Mob – whose members wear bikie-style patches but who do not ride motorcycles – has established itself in the Werribee area and is actively recruiting Maori and Pacific Islander members from the surrounding suburbs… more
E2NZ.org 
[Deleted, don’t troll. Admin]
Anywhere on the East Coast of the North Island is unsafe for non-Maori in my opinion. I never felt safe there. Wairoa is gang country. Ruatoria is absolutely not a place for whites to go. I think the issue is that some of the most beautiful parts of NZ are heavily populated with gang members. Yes, white people live there but they probably do so with the knowledge of where to go/not go etc.
I would suggest visitors never ever hitchhike and never camp. If you don’t have a good understanding of gang culture you might miss the signs. Anyone wearing red and black – Mongrel Mob (including women and children). Wearing blue and black – Black Power. Those are just the two main ones. Never wear a bandana in NZ is my advice, it could suggest gang membership. Interesting abut Mongrel Mob coming to Aus.
This poor guy is extremely lucky he was not the victim of violence as well.
I feel bad for the fellow. Mexico has some extremely dangerous areas, but at least Mexicans are willing to acknowledge their country’s shortcomings. They are also much warmer and more decent people overall compared to Kiwis.
This page has been updated to include the victim’s name: Roberto Arteago and details of the three men who’ve been arrested. We presume they will be given name suppression until their families are informed.
http://cies.wordpress.com/2009/05/28/relacion-entre-calidad-de-vida-y-tasa-de-criminalidad/
“Es más, Nueva Zelanda es el País con la mayor tasa mundial de víctimas por asaltos y amenazas a pesar de que no solamente destaca Auckland entres sus ciudades, también lo hace Wellington, la número doce entre las más avanzadas del Mundo.”
as noted in a link offered by commenter nautzili on a forum for Spanisher speakers.
http://www.tercerainformacion.es/spip.php?article49463
more confirmation by (some) Spanish speakers
Thankfully I am not again reading about a young female hitch-hiker being picked up, sexually assaulted & murdered. This Mexican guy was lucky. When will tourists learn, New Zealand is not safe for hitch-hiking.
Given that many of the locals still refuse to view their country as a violent, crime ridden, fraudulent, overpriced, nation that happily embraces abusive behaviour, incompetence and corruption it is of little surprise that tourists would not be fully informed as to the dangers of coming here.
Fortunately this situation is changing.