Vinnell, a freelance journalist, was trying to interview Laneway performer Lontalius about man buns when a Laneway punter jumped in front of the camera and yelled the offensive phrase.
The shocked reporter moved away and kept going with her cross, only for him to follow the camera and yell it again.
Garner said: "It's live television, anything can happen," before cutting the segment short and moving on to something else.
Vinnell quickly took to social media to discuss the incident, calling it "terrifying" and "unsettling".
Despite her frustration, Twitter users commended her handling of the incident.
One said she "handled it like a professional" while another said she had "nothing to worry about".
Garner simply called her "brilliant".
• Watch the full video here (offensive language warning).
- nzherald.co.nz
