The latest in a string of homophobic insults has forced the couple to move from the town of Mangawhai Heads where their business used to be based.

Lindsay Curnow and Juliet Leigh were the victims of an arson attack in January which destroyed the bulk of their flower business. In March it was suggested that they would rebuild the business but locate it outside the town. However, they have now sold the business and plan to put their house on the market after another set of homophobic attacks culminated in “God hates dikes + queers” being scrawled on their fence. At the time of the arson attack, Leigh expressed her belief that the attacker was a visitor to the town but this now seems unlikely.

Speaking to Gay NZ, Curnow said that although people in Mangawhai had spoken to them, the townsfolk had done very little in the way of supporting them practically: “We became extremely aware in the last six months that virtually all of the practical help we received came from our gay mates around here and in Auckland, plus from the wider gay community in Auckland and the rest of New Zealand.”

No one has been caught for either the arson or the other homophobic attacks.