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POLICE, TROUBLE AND HARASSMENT |
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Violent crime is still sufficiently novel in New Zealand that it is
reported with relish by the media. As long as you use your common sense
and don't drop your guard just because you're on holiday, you're
unlikely to run into any trouble.
There are a few areas, like K' Road in Auckland, where it is unwise for
lone women to walk late at night, and obviously the more isolated a spot
the less chance of getting help but as long as you are reasonably
careful you should be OK. Although this is by no means a rule, another
area of difficulty for lone women involves taking up work in exchange
for board and lodging not arranged through recognized organizations like
the WWOOFing set-up . Travellers pay good money for a number of
different leaflets and booklets listing farms where people need help,
not realizing that the only criteria for a listing, in most cases, is
handing over cash. This means that single, unscrupulous types get
promoted and you could find yourself stuck on a farm in the middle of
nowhere resisting the unwanted advances of the randy owner, or being
exploited by doing hours of heavy labour for a plate of beans and a shit-hole
to sleep in. The point is that in such situations it's your word against
theirs and they're the locals so you might not always get a fair deal
even if you complain to the authorities. The best way to avoid this, if
you want to taste the country life, is to stick with the WWOOFing
booklet when organizing your trip and remember that although it's very
good, even so it's not a complete guarantee.
The main source of crime in New Zealand is vehicles. Car break-ins are
common in cities, or in car parks at the beginning of short or long
walks, or even just on the roadside while you go to take a picture of a
waterfall. Campervans are particularly vulnerable, since they contain
all your possessions and make obvious and easy pickings. When you leave
your vehicle, take your valuables with you, and put packs and bags in
the boot or out of sight. If you have a particularly vulnerable vehicle,
whether because of age or make, invest in a steering lock or in some way
of beefing up the boot lock. When setting out on long walks use a secure
car park if possible, where your car will be kept safe for a small sum.
There is rarely any stealing in hostels apart from the odd case of
mistaken identity when it comes to food in the fridge, although it
doesn't do any harm to lock away stuff if you can.
Nude and topless sunbathing is not something you will see in New Zealand
except at naturist camps and recognized nudist beaches. Assuming someone
takes the trouble to complain, naked sun worshippers on a crowded public
beach may even be arrested, and topless women may well find themselves
being asked to cover up or made to feel uncomfortable. There are,
however, hundreds of isolated beaches and beauty spots in New Zealand
that are so remote you can pretty much do what you like.
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111 is the free emergency telephone number to summon the police,
ambulance or fire service.
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Police and the law
The police are still perceived as friendly, mostly incorruptible and
helpful which, generally speaking, they are. If you do get arrested, you
will be allowed one phone call; a solicitor will be appointed if you
cannot afford one and you may be able to claim legal aid. It is unlikely
that your consulate will take more than a passing interest unless there
is something strange or unusual about the case against you.
The laws regarding alcohol consumption in New Zealand are pretty lenient,
and unless you are actively causing trouble, the police will give you a
wide berth. The same does not apply to drink driving , which is taken
very seriously. Home-grown marijuana or "electric puha " (taken from the
Maori, puha meaning watercress) has a reputation for being very potent
and is pretty easily available. It is, however, illegal and although a
certain amount of tolerance is sometimes shown towards personal use, the
police and courts take a dim view of any tangles with hard drugs ,
handing out long custodial sentences. The general folk lore has it that
all marijuana supply is handled by one of two warring gangs, the Mongrel
Mob or Black Power, which is over simplifying the situation but it's
worth bearing in mind that extreme violence erupts between them from
time to time and in general it's best to avoid members of either group.
Gangs tend to be easily identifiable, most of them like to wear black,
sport traditional tattoos and wrap around sunglasses, as well as
seriously deficient hair cuts. Of course not all gang members look
exactly like this but if you come across someone who does you probably
wouldn't want to talk to them anyway.
Prejudice
Most New Zealanders welcome foreign visitors with open arms and, as a
traveller, you're unlikely to experience overt discrimination to any
great degree. There are few places in New Zealand where you will be
refused service because of your race, colour or gender, although on rare
occasions you may feel slightly uneasy . This can be the case for lone
women in out-of-the-way country pubs , or for tourists who stray into
predominantly Maori pubs. More often than not, the locals will be
friendly but you might end up feeling like the cowboy who stops all the
music and conversation when he walks through the door.
Despite constant efforts to maintain good relations between Maori and
pakeha (Europeans), tensions do exist - inflamed by disproportionately
high rates of unemployment and imprisonment among the Maori population.
Asian immigrants, meanwhile, often bear the brunt of prejudice from both
Maori and pakeha due to their high profile success in education and
business and the perception that they are relative newcomers. |
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