Woman Arrested After Attack On Jacinda Ardern’s Office
A woman has been detained by New Zealand police in connection with an attack on Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's office in Auckland.
Local media said that the attack happened on Thursday morning at around 8 a.m., while Ms Ardern was in Antarctica.
According to an unnamed witness quoted by the news outlet Stuff, someone was seen bashing the front door of the workplace with a tool and then throwing something inside just before smoke started to pour from the building.
Because the building was empty at the time of the attack, no one was hurt, and the fire department and police responded quickly.
According to the article, the news organisation got an email from someone claiming responsibility for the damages. According to the email, the device was placed inside her electoral office at 8:20 a.m. today. Stuff also shared a photo of what appears to be a huge knife, either a machete or a tiny sword, lying on the sidewalk.
The proprietor of a nearby business was warned by firefighters not to "touch the machete handle," as overheard by a passing journalist.
A 57-year-old man was brought into custody after being arrested at home in Coatesville, according to the police. Police confirmed they are “making inquiries into a report of wilful damage at an address on Great North Road”.
“The incident was reported at about 8.20 am, where an object was thrown through a window,” a police statement read.
“A scene examination will be conducted, and inquiries remain ongoing.”
Local media reported that a spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office acknowledged she was aware of the incident but was still gathering details. Ms Ardern and her fiance, Clarke Gayford, are currently in Antarctica. She will arrive home in New Zealand on Friday evening.
The spokeswoman said the prime minister’s office never comments on issues of security so would not answer any questions about whether electorate offices or Ms Ardern herself, would be subject to heightened levels of security in the wake of the attack.
The prime minister would also not comment on the arrest as the case is now a police matter, the spokesperson said.