A man has been charged in relation to the unprovoked attack on James Shaw.
The Green Party leader was walking to Parliament on Thursday morning when another man grabbed him and hit him in the face.
- James Shaw in hospital after attack
- Greens co-leader Marama Davidson says party shocked by James Shaw attack
The "random attack", which took place outside the entrance to the Botanical Gardens, reportedly left Shaw bruised but "chipper". Two members of the public helped the 45-year-old and he went to hospital for a precautionary check-up.
A 47-year-old man was arrested later that morning, and in the afternoon was charged with injuring with intent to injure.
He will appear in Wellington District Court on Friday.
Politicians from both sides of the aisle have rallied around Shaw since the attack, with National leader Simon Bridges saying "violence is never okay".
His co-leader Marama Davidson says she hopes the attack won't mean Kiwi politicians will become inaccessible to the public.
"I would hate to see New Zealand stop having that access," she told media in Parliament on Thursday.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern echoed her concern, telling media: "We've always been proud of the fact that in New Zealand we are accessible, and I think politicians like to be accessible - we're here to serve people after all."
Newshub.
