Aotearoa's opened the doors to tourists following the COVID-19 pandemic, but it's not a happy welcome - a rise in crime is seeing guests' bags stolen out of their accommodation and rental cars broken into.
Now, one fed-up Auckland tourism operation is sharing his frustration at having to employ security guards, saying it's an "embarrassing" look when people arrive in New Zealand.
LyLo Managing Director Tim Alpe, known as the co-founder of JUCY car and campervan rentals, is now working in accommodation.
But while the tourism sector should be celebrating the return of visitors following the COVID-19 pandemic, Alpe on Tuesday morning told AM unfortunately he's among many business operators battling a rise in crime.
He said investing in boosting security was "the last thing we wanted to do coming out of COVID", which was a difficult time for businesses.
"But we've had a real rise in crime within the property that we have in Cook Street there and it's just getting to a stage now that actually we need to protect our staff and our guests so it's a real sad time."
Alpe said the crime, including theft of luggage and food, was committed by people coming off the street into the premise.
"People are desperate, we're seeing that, and people are doing desperate things for desperate measures so it's really tough."
The accommodation holds up to 400 people, including from young backpackers to travellers in their 80s.
But Alpe said "it's not a great welcome" when they arrive here to experience such crime.
"It's actually really embarrassing when we're having to tell people 'I'm really sorry but your bag's been stolen' or 'your car's been broken into across the road', so it's a really tough thing.
"It's not the welcome that we want."
Opening accommodation in downtown Auckland, Alpe said they expected some "interesting times".
But he said since opening 18 months ago they've seen a rise in "petty crime", including vandalism, graffiti and even people walking around the CBD not feeling safe.
"That's a real issue for us, so it is increasing and we're trying to do what we can to just keep people safe.
"New Zealand's perceived as a safe country, I go overseas all the time and I'm telling everyone 'it's safe, Auckland's really, really safe, and it's a beautiful city' and it is safe but it's just an increase because things are happening and that's really hard to explain."
He added that Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Police Commissioner Andrew Coster were "talking a big game but what's needed was more of a presence on the beat.
"I think they talk a good game, I'm really hoping they can deliver. I think they can deliver, they're passionate about it, we just need to see it happen pretty quickly."
The Government's 2024 Budget, released on May 30, committed more than $220 million to train 500 new officers by the end of next year.
But Police Commissioner Andrew Coster told staff - in an email sent on the release of the Budget - 175 non-sworn jobs would go to satisfy the Government's demand for $55 million in savings.
Police Association vice-president Paul Ormerod said there's a concern the loss in the back-office will have a knock-on effect to frontline policing.
Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck told Newshub the organisation has lobbied long and hard for more police on the street, as well as a downtown police station.
"We want people to come here and feel safe. Reported crime has been tracking down in recent months but clearly there is still a way to go," she said.
"We are optimistic that the commitment to put more police on the beat will happen - but we need to see it urgently. We are jumping on the opportunity for a physical presence as this would help to increase visibility as well as speeding up the response.
"More police on the beat and support with social issues is what's needed to overlay a significant local effort in the city centre, with increased security presence and more CCTV cameras."
Beck said timing was important as Auckland prepares to welcome more than 11,000 delegates for the World Choir Games in July, as well as other events, dining and activations coming up.
