A police investigation into a family of tourists whose disrespectful behaviour caused havoc at Takapuna beach at the weekend is continuing, with police looking for help from the public.
A police spokesman said investigators welcomed further information from people who have encountered the family. Police did not, however, respond to questions regarding how many complaints they have received about the family, who appears to hail from Ireland, or whether the tourists were connected to a series of alleged scams in Australia.
Have you come in contact with the family? Let us know at news@tvnz.co.nz.
The family was filmed threatening locals at Takapuna in Auckland on Sunday after they reacted angrily to being confronted about a pile of rubbish they had left at the beach.
Krista Curnow posted two videos to Facebook with the initial clip showing the family leaving a pile of a rubbish on the grass near the beach.
“We approached the family to ask them if they can please not leave without picking up their rubbish, their response was basically if we have a problem then we can pick it up and that that’s what the council is for,” Ms Curnow wrote.
They’re investigating after a group was filmed leaving a pile of rubbish at the beach, before an angry confrontation with locals. (Source: Other)
“I approached the family to ask again if they could not disrespect our country while visiting and pick up their rubbish, they turned violent and even grandma and the child got involved saying they wanted to punch my head in.”
The second video showed a young boy from the family shouting at the woman, "I'll knock your brains out".
Ms Curnow’s post has received thousands of reactions and widespread attention.
Another woman told 1 NEWS she and her partner confronted the man in the video again yesterday morning over his family’s behaviour.
Two restaurants have weighed in against the group of unruly tourists, accusing them of refusing to pay for meals after complaining they found hair in their food, The New Zealand Herald reports.
Staff at Mr India and The Backyard Bar & Restaurant in Northcote said a group ordered hundreds of dollars worth of meals at their restaurants before refusing to pay because they claimed there was hair in the food.
A man, who did not want to be named, also told the Herald he experienced the "worst flight" ever after being stuck beside a group of rowdy travellers who he believed were linked to those who left rubbish at Takapuna Beach.
The passenger boarded flight Cathay Pacific CX113 from Hong Kong to Auckland on Friday.
He told the Herald the two parents, their son and his partner and their two children were unruly and caused boarding delays.
Waitemata East Police Acting Area Commander Inspector Kevin McNaughton said yesterday that police were investigating the incident at Takapuna Beach and were looking to identify those involved.
"Police will be speaking with those involved and will be referring them to Council with regard to their behaviour around the littering of rubbish," Mr McNaughton said.
Offenders caught illegally dumping rubbish may be issued with a fine of up to $400. Serious offenders may also be prosecuted under the Litter Act 1979 with a maximum penalty of $30,000, he said.
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