Kaikoura Earthquake: The Abuse of Hospitality
Last week — mass evacuation in the Kaikoura region in New Zealand after a magnitude-7.8 earthquake had stroke New Zealand near the coastal town. During the last week, the media revealed more and more photos and videos which illustrated the power and consequences of the earthquake last Monday where whole mountains were shifted and water pipes destroyed.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister confessed after a visit flight that damage to that region was even worse than he thought. This underlines the huge destruction and the fact that it will take not only days but months of work as well as hundreds of millions to reconstruct the roads and railway lines on the Kaikoura coast. Especially clearing the debris and blocked roads will take a lot of time and money to restore order and normality in this area.
From last week onwards, tonnes of food, water and other supplies were therefore taken to the region in order to supply not only locals, the so-called “kiwis”, but also the 1200 stranded tourists in Kaikoura. This town attracts thousands of tourists per year especially because of whale watching. Recently, however, some of these young tourists take advantage of the generosity of locals, receive free food and hand-outs and enjoy a “cheap holiday” in New Zealand, partying and drinking all night long. Surprised by the generosity of locals, these “scrounger” abuse the tremendous generosity of locals and prolong their stay on the Kaikoura coast.
Locals, though, are frustrated, requesting those who are not part of the community to leave town. Kiwis are known as being generous and hospitable and even welcomed four stranded German backpackers kindly, providing them with food until their departure. But not all want to leave. Some of these tourists rather like to abuse the stressful situation of New Zealand to prolong their stay on their “cheap holiday” trip. Getting food for free, drinking and partying all night and being up-to-date what is happening live on stage in New Zealand — that’s a shame, isn’t it?
