A young Dunedin couple just starting out on their OE have had their plans upset by a thief in Vancouver, Canada.
Craig Didham (27) and Cassie Wright (21) left Dunedin a month ago and flew to Canada, intending to work a summer season at the Whistler ski resort.
Craig's brother, Mark Didham, of Christchurch, told the Otago Daily Times the couple bought a Dodge van for $2000 about a week ago and loaded it with all their possessions, including a laptop, clothing and passports.
But, 45 minutes later, the van was stolen.
Craig Didham told CTV British Columbia they thought maybe they had forgotten where they had parked the van.
"We wandered around for about 15 minutes then realised, OK, it's gone.
"Our immediate thought was we just want to get out of the country, but then our next thought was we can't because we don't have our passports anymore."
Mark Didham said the couple were not only going through the time-consuming process of replacing their passports, they also needed to reapply for work permits.
He believed their possessions, including the van, were valued about $8000 but they were finding it difficult to provide their New Zealand insurance company with proof of purchase of some of the stolen items.
Craig Didham had worked for New Zealand Customs, at Port Chalmers, and Ms Wright had recently graduated as a teacher.
The CTV News report prompted offers of money and places to stay.
However, the couple turned down the offers, saying it did not feel right to accept them.
A cousin living in the city has arranged accommodation while the couple get their travels back on track.
