Some local residents have taken exception to random strangers picking their fruit and flowers, saying it doesn’t hurt to ask before helping yourself to other people’s property.

For many, the action has led to a number of awkward confrontations and minor disputes. 

Fruit tree and flower owners say it’s upsetting when people take an excessive amount.

Some say they can deal with people taking a handful now and then, but that they draw the line when people take or steal too many. 

They say being a good person and/or good neighbour should dictate what you do. Others say they don’t mind depending on how much fruit or flowers are on the tree.

Police spokesperson Trevor Pitt said they have not received any complaints on the matter, however, in terms of those who just help themselves, this would be a case of theft if a complaint was filed with them.

Pitt said if a complaint was filed “it would be followed up”.

In the Cook Islands, the classification for taking agricultural products is theft with a punishment decided by the court - within the confines set by the Crimes Act.

Pitt said he thought that most locals would expect the courtesy of a simple request before taking someone else’s property and committing a crime.

He said there are those who go around the island looking for “easy pickings”.

“From past experience and anecdotes, there are some who go scouting around the island for easy pickings, where no one is watching.  

“Unscrupulous people even wait until someone’s not home and then go picking. They already have some knowledge about what’s in the garden or plantation.

“Unfortunately, owners and the Police can’t be everywhere at once. Neighbourhood witnesses, or even alert dogs, are often the key for deterring thieves,” Pitt said.

One local resident, who prefers not to be named, said people going around the island looking for pickings happens all the time.

He said growers are exploited by unscrupulous strangers who steal fruits and flowers and sell them going on to make a profit.

A kilo of mangoes sold at a stall on the side of the road can fetch up to $6.

He said he was across the road from his property recently when he spotted a truck pull up with a man on the back who started to take a bunch of flowers off his tree.

He said he politely yelled out to the man who decided to leave as soon as he saw him approaching.

“People just come and pick the fruit and flowers without even asking. I think it’s quite rude.

“I’m not sure what gives them the right to help themselves and trespass on other people’s property.

“I am willing to share (my flowers) if they ask, but to take is another story. It doesn’t hurt to ask.”

Another local resident said she has also seen people pull over on the side of the road and pick her flowers and fruit that are located directly in front of her home.

“A few times I’ve seen people come in front of my property and pick my flowers. As soon as they see me they begin to leave because they don’t want a confrontation.

“One time my neighbour said they even saw someone come and pick a bunch of lemons right off my lemon tree when I wasn’t home.

“I’ve spent a lot of time growing and tending to my property (and) if they want some they should ask first or put the effort in and grow their own. Otherwise, leave my mangoes alone.”

As urban foraging grows in popularity, a furious debate over what is right and wrong about picking your neighbours fruit has popped up online.

A number of people say it is not just a legal question but depends on where the tree is located.

Others say it depends on how much fruit is on the tree and that having good neighbours is more important than the fruit or tree itself.

One local resident said: “If there is a lot of fruit then I guess that would be fair game. But if it (the tree) only has one or two pieces then I would think you wouldn’t touch it.”

Another person said, “Having good neighbours is more important than having fruit.”