Locals ‘only’: New Zealanders target surfers

As John B Keane’s masterwork The Field shows we have a close relationship with the land we live on. That Irish land prices are among the very highest in the world confirms that. That there is no greater sin, in some families at least, than “losing the land” suggests that this bond is so very deeply ingrained as to be almost genetic. Despite that the majority of landowners welcome responsible visitors. “No Trespassing” signs are, thankfully, uncommon.

However, an incident in New Zealand, where three surfers faced gunfire at Taharoa, on the west coast of the North Island shows a different, or at least a changed attitude. The attack is blamed on those who believe that only locals should have access to local facilities and that they should be free to live without the relentless intrusion of tourists.