James Shaw attack: New Zealand climate change minister punched in face while walking to work
Attacker fled in vehicle but has been arrested and charged with injuring with intent
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Your support makes all the difference.New Zealand’s climate change minister has been attacked in the street while on his way to the country’s parliament.
James Shaw, who is also co-leader of the country’s Green Party, said he was punched in the face by a man early on Thursday morning as he walked past Wellington’s Botanic Garden on his way to work.
The man reportedly started talking to him before grabbing him and punching him several times, according to Mr Shaw’s press secretary, Peter Stevens.
Mr Stevens said two people stopped to help, but the assailant jumped into a vehicle and drove away.
Mr Shaw suffered a black eye and grazes on his wrist.
Police said a 47-year-old man was arrested and has been charged with injuring with intent.
He is due to appear in court on Friday and faces a maximum of five years in prison if found guilty.
New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern said she spoke with Mr Shaw soon after the attack and he’d told her he was doing fine. She told him to take whatever time he needed to recover and that her thoughts were with him and his wife.
“When you go into politics in New Zealand you just don’t expect these things to happen, and I know it will be especially challenging for loved ones,” Ms Ardern said in a statement.
She said she was unable to give further details of the attack as it was now the subject of a police investigation.
“We have an environment in New Zealand where politicians are accessible, and that’s something we should feel proud of,” Ms Ardern said. “We are, after all, here to serve people. But today’s events really show we cannot take that for granted.”
New Zealand has had very few instances of politically motivated crimes or terrorism in modern history.
Among politicians, typically only the prime minister gets round-the-clock protection from the Diplomatic Protection Service, while others might get temporary protection during election campaigns or when needed.
Mr Stevens, the press secretary, said Shaw was walking with his headphones on listening to music when the man approached. The attacker seemed to recognise Mr Shaw, he said, but the conversation was brief and unclear. He said Mr Shaw had asked the man to let go of him before he was punched.
“He’s feeling a bit tender and a bit shaken up,” Mr Stevens said.
Mr Stevens said Mr Shaw was very grateful for the people who helped intervene and for police and ambulance crews who arrived quickly.
Additional reporting by AP
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