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Police say more charges are likely in the case of two men accused of abducting two Dutch tourists in the Bay of Islands.
The men, aged 27 and 29, were arrested on Tuesday night and face joint charges of rape, sexual violation, stupefying and aggravated robbery while armed with a 12-gauge shotgun.
The newlywed Dutch couple were sleeping in their campervan in the Haruru Falls carpark when they were allegedly attacked by the men.
They were then driven around Northland at gunpoint, made to withdraw cash from ATMs and the woman was assaulted before they were dumped on the side of the road at Towai.
Police carried out a major operation which culminated in the arrests, but are not commenting on a possible gang connection.
Detective Inspector Mike Pannett says although it is clear the men received help after the alleged offences, that does not mean it was provided by gang associates.
However, they have not ruled out charging someone with hiding the pair.
The men appeared in the Kaikohe District Court on Wednesday afternoon and entered no pleas.
They were granted interim name suppression and have been remanded in custody until next Wednesday.
The Dutch couple at the centre of the inquiry are still in New Zealand at an undisclosed location.
