Invercargill police have arrested and charged a 25-year-old Tuatapere man in relation to the attack on two Dutch tourists in the small western Southland town early yesterday morning.

The man has been charged with rape and will be facing a number of other charges in relation to the incident, said officer-in-charge of the case, Detective Sergeant David Nelson.

"We'd like to thank the public for their response, which has assisted us with this inquiry. This, coupled with dedicated police work and some long hours and hard work by our staff over the past two days, has ensured we've got a result," Detective Sergeant David Nelson said.

The offers of help to the two tourists from organisations including Venture Southland, the Holiday Parks Association and Tourism New Zealand, and from members of the public, as well as the work of Victim Support, had been a great source of support for the pair, Detective Sergeant Nelson said.

The man will appear in the Invercargill District Court tomorrow. Police will oppose bail, Detective Sergeant Nelson said.

ENDS