Climate change minister attacked while walking to work

Police have arrested a man in relation to the unprovoked attack on Green Party co-leader and climate change minister James Shaw as he was walking to parliament this morning.

Stuff and Radio NZ are reporting that two people came to aid James after the incident occurred around 8am in the Botanical Garden this morning, and called for emergency services.

Ambulance staff checked Shaw at the scene and gave him all clear to continue on his journey to parliament.

After attending a select committee this morning, a spokesman for Shaw says he has gone to Wellington Hospital for a precautionary check up.

The spokesman also says he believes the assailant knew who Shaw was.

Police have taken a detailed statement from Shaw, and he has been granted compassionate leave from parliament by the Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard.

National MP for Bay of Plenty Todd Muller tweeted that he was stunned to hear of the assault on Shaw.

“I hope he recovers quickly and is back working on the important climate change issues that I know he cares deeply about,” says Todd.