Summarised by Centrist
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has condemned an alleged attack on Shane Jones’ wife at Auckland Airport, saying it’s “not acceptable” for political families to be harassed in public.
Dot Jones lodged a police complaint after she was allegedly grabbed on the shoulder by a man shouting slurs about her husband, NZ First Cabinet Minister Shane Jones, and party leader Winston Peters. The confrontation took place early Saturday morning in the domestic terminal.
According to Dot, the man became aggressive after yelling profanities at her husband. When she attempted to shield Jones by placing her hand between the two men—whom she described as being “hongi distance” apart—her palm hit the man’s nose. As she walked away, he allegedly grabbed her shoulder from behind.
“My back was turned and he came up behind me and grabbed me. He grabbed my shoulder. It was all so quick,” she told the Herald.
The man’s wife reportedly intervened and apologised. Shane Jones told reporters: “Another place, another MP, it might not have ended like this.”
Luxon told Newstalk ZB that while New Zealand’s culture of political accessibility is “highly unique,” there are risks when individuals become fixated or enraged over political issues.
Police confirmed they are taking formal statements but have not yet laid charges.
