Two tourists attacked while hitchhiking on the West Coast last weekend have thanked the New Zealand public for the support they received and said it was "good to be alive."
Michaela Brandl, 28, from Germany and Niki Honda, a 27-year-old of Japanese/Dutch origin, hitched a ride on 30 March in Whataroa, about 30km north of Franz Josef, from a man driving a blue Terrano.
They were later found injured by the side of the road near Franz Josef, one with stab wounds to the neck and the other with a broken pelvis.
A man has been charged over their attack and with sexually violating and murdering 24-year-old Christchurch woman Amy Farrall. The 38-year-old Otaki man has been granted name suppression and faces a range of charges, including aggravated robbery and wounding with intent, over the attack on the tourists.
In their statement, Ms Brandl and Ms Honda said they were touched by the compassion shown to them.
"We'd love to express the deepest gratitude for all the support and compassion which reached us from the very first moments," the statement said.
"So many people, strangers, sent us flowers, cards or presents and we are deeply touched by every single one of them, as well as by all the good wishes, thoughts and prayers.
"We feel like many angels were sent to us in this situation. We still believe in the good (God) in everything and still feel that New Zealand is one of the most beautiful and peaceful countries on this planet.
"We met so many great people here and our trust in this place and the people is unbroken. As soon as we recover and have had enough rest we'd love to travel on, here and anywhere. It's good to be alive."
