A man has been charged after a window was smashed at the Auckland home of New Zealand's foreign minister, Winston Peters, during a protest, police confirmed on Tuesday.
Mr Peters said on social media that a "disgusting coward" had broken a window and left a sign on his front door on Monday evening. He told media the note read "welcome to the real world", adding that his partner and a guest were at home at the time.
Police said the man handed himself in and will appear in Auckland District Court on Friday charged with burglary. Superintendent Sunny Patel said police recognised the right to lawful protest but did not condone action that damages property.
Mr Peters said New Zealanders should be "deeply concerned" about the divisive and violent behaviour. Opposition politicians, including Labour's Chris Hipkins and Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick, condemned the attack, with Ms Swarbrick saying it "crosses a threshold and goes well beyond people's right to protest".
The incident follows recent protests outside Mr Peters' home after he announced New Zealand would not recognise Palestinian statehood, a stance criticised by opposition parties and academics. Last week, dozens of pro-Palestine protesters gathered outside his residence, and on Monday the Green Party and families of three New Zealand activists detained in Israel called for their safe return.
