Three Dutch tourist who claimed they were robbed while camping at Akaroa near Christchurch have admitted guilt in a Christchurch court to making a false complaint.
The trio was arrested as they tried to leave the country bound for Australia.
The residing judge convicted and discharged the men stating that although the investigation had wasted 100 hours of police time a fine was not appropriate as the men had no money.
The court heard that the men fabricated the story to explain damage to their rental campervan. The men claimed that they were robbed at gunpoint by three Polynesians.
In summing up the judge stated that the tourists actions had caused anxiety among the small Akaroa community and had created negative publicity on the tourist dependent town.