Doubts are being cast on claims by an expatriate Kiwi about the behaviour of his fellow countrymen in an annual Waitangi Day pub crawl around London.
Former Wellingtonian Dylan Clements, now working in London as a travel agent, has filed a complaint with New Zealand High Commissioner Derek Leask, saying the drunken antics of the Kiwis who took to the city's streets on Saturday brought "great shame" on New Zealand.
Mr Clements says he saw pub crawl participants urinating and vomiting on famous landmarks, including Westminster Abbey and the Jewel Tower, and exposing themselves indecently on the street.
However, the pub crawl's organiser Clint Heine says Mr Clements' claims are exaggerated.
He told NZ Newswire the complaint was "heart breaking", because the organisers try to make the pub crawl a positive event.
"We work really hard over here in London to not be idiots," Mr Heine said.
Westminster police had told Mr Heine they were surprised by the negative attention received by the event, given they had rated the day a success and made no arrests.
"Their officers want to work that day, they want to be there because they know that we're just so much fun to be around, even after a few drinks," Mr Heine said.
A few small instances of public urination were quickly dealt with and police are already looking forward to next year's event, he said.
Mr Heine said Mr Clements' claim that New Zealanders had been throwing snowballs at Korean tourists was false, because snow did not fall until a few hours after the event.
Mr Clements' complaint has also drawn criticism on the event's Facebook page, with pub crawl participants saying they had a great day.
The pub crawl, which is now in its 13th year, follows the route of the London Underground's Circle Line, which forms a loop beneath central London. About 4000 are reported to have participated on Saturday.
NZN