A group of tourists who left rubbish on Takapuna Beach have now been accused of putting hair and ants into meals to avoid having to pay for them, as well as abusing staff at several Auckland eateries.
Staff at both Mr India and The Backyard Bar & Restaurant on Auckland’s North Shore said that the group ordered hundreds of dollars in food before refusing to pay, and a complaint has been laid with police over an unpaid-for slice of cake.
Roger Van Kempen of The Backyard Bar & Restaurant in Northcote said that when the Takapuna Beach video emerged, he immediately recognised the man and the child as part of a group of diners who had come to his venue on January 3. He claimed that the group put ants in their food then refused to pay for three meals, totalling just over $50. The men became aggressive when Van Kempen confronted them. Two nights later the group returned and again refused to pay for meals, citing hair in their food. The owner of Mr India said that the same group visited her restaurant, put hair in their meals and refused to pay the $250 bill.
