This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/north_east/7194746.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Islander murdered in New Zealand Islander murdered in New Zealand
(20 minutes later)
A young woman from Orkney has died after being attacked while on a working holiday in New Zealand.A young woman from Orkney has died after being attacked while on a working holiday in New Zealand.
Police in the North Island town of Taupo said they were treating the death of the 26-year-old as murder.Police in the North Island town of Taupo said they were treating the death of the 26-year-old as murder.
The woman, named locally as Karen Aim, was found in the early hours of Thursday with serious head injuries and died in hospital.The woman, named locally as Karen Aim, was found in the early hours of Thursday with serious head injuries and died in hospital.
A Northern Constabulary spokesperson confirmed that the woman's family had been informed of her death.A Northern Constabulary spokesperson confirmed that the woman's family had been informed of her death.
The Foreign Office said: "We can confirm that a British national died in New Zealand on 17 January. Local police are treating the death as suspicious."The Foreign Office said: "We can confirm that a British national died in New Zealand on 17 January. Local police are treating the death as suspicious."
New Zealand police said the 26-year-old had been in the country on a work permit since last October and was working at Wairakei, a nearby geothermal village.New Zealand police said the 26-year-old had been in the country on a work permit since last October and was working at Wairakei, a nearby geothermal village.
It was her second visit to the country after an original trip in 2006 when she travelled there on a three-month visitor's permit before returning home in January 2007.It was her second visit to the country after an original trip in 2006 when she travelled there on a three-month visitor's permit before returning home in January 2007.
Our victim has been found lying prone severely injured with serious head injuries Det Sgt Greg TurnerOur victim has been found lying prone severely injured with serious head injuries Det Sgt Greg Turner
Officers found her lying on the ground after they were called to check a report of damage to a nearby college at just after 0200. Officers found her lying on the ground after they were called to check a report of damage to a nearby college at just after 0200 local time.
Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner said police who attended the scene had described the attack as "ghastly".Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner said police who attended the scene had described the attack as "ghastly".
He said: "Our victim has been found lying prone severely injured with serious head injuries.He said: "Our victim has been found lying prone severely injured with serious head injuries.
"An ambulance was called and she was taken to Taupo Hospital but died a short time later."An ambulance was called and she was taken to Taupo Hospital but died a short time later.
"The officers had originally gone to the area around 2.10am to investigate a report from a security company of damage to the school and it was while doing an area canvas that the woman was found.""The officers had originally gone to the area around 2.10am to investigate a report from a security company of damage to the school and it was while doing an area canvas that the woman was found."
Police have established that the woman had been out with friends in bars in central Taupo before the attack.Police have established that the woman had been out with friends in bars in central Taupo before the attack.
Det Sgt Turner said: "We're currently trying to establish if she left the bar alone or not and a major part of our inquiry is obtaining security footage from the CBD (Central Business District) and further afield."Det Sgt Turner said: "We're currently trying to establish if she left the bar alone or not and a major part of our inquiry is obtaining security footage from the CBD (Central Business District) and further afield."
Residents living near the scene of the attack have been asked to search their houses and gardens in case a weapon or clothes have been dumped.Residents living near the scene of the attack have been asked to search their houses and gardens in case a weapon or clothes have been dumped.
Police also appealed for the vandals responsible for damaging the school to contact them.Police also appealed for the vandals responsible for damaging the school to contact them.
Taupo, in the centre of the North Island and on the shores of the country's largest lake, is a popular tourist destination for backpackers.Taupo, in the centre of the North Island and on the shores of the country's largest lake, is a popular tourist destination for backpackers.