An influencer couple from New Zealand has been touring the world in their jeep for three years. At the beginning of July, the two reach Iran, but shortly after entering Iran, their trail is lost. Now the two are on their way back to their homeland – what has happened in the last four months remains unclear.
Two travel bloggers from New Zealand who disappeared from the scene after entering Iran nearly four months ago have left the country, sources in Wellington said. The couple are “safe and well,” a New Zealand official said. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said her government had “worked hard” for several months to ensure the couple’s safe exit.
Bridget Thackwray, 27, and her husband, Topher Richwhite, 34, son of one of New Zealand’s wealthiest men, entered Iran from Turkey in early July. Shortly thereafter, they stopped posting on their online channels, causing great concern among fans, friends and family. Their last sign of life was an Instagram story in which they documented putting an Iranian license plate on their jeep after entering Iran.
Ardern said the two endured “difficult circumstances”. She was “delighted that they are unharmed”. She did not comment on the details of the negotiations with the Iranian government. It is not yet clear what exactly happened during her time in Iran. When asked, Iranian officials said the couple had not been stopped or arrested.
People from Western countries are regularly detained by the Iranian government, often on fabricated espionage charges. Those arrested are usually released after intensive negotiations behind the scenes. In the past, prisoner exchanges have taken place, leading to accusations that Tehran is engaged in “hostage diplomacy”.