Arrest over attack on conservation board chairman

A man has been arrested and charged with assault in connection with a weekend attack on Waikato conservationist Arthur Hinds.

Mr Hinds, chairman of the Waikato Conservation Board, was allegedly attacked from behind and knocked to the ground by an anti-1080 protestor at a Coromandel community meeting on Sunday.

Tairua police said tonight a 57-year-old Thames man was arrested today and appeared in Thames District Court charged with assault.

Enquiries into the incident were continuing.

The attack on Mr Hinds had been condemned by Conservation Authority chairman Don Ross and Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson.

Mr Hinds, who is leading a private operation in Whenuakite to spread 1080 poison on two private properties and some conservation land, was attacked outside the Tairua Community Hall, where he had been invited to speak about a proposed marine reserve along the coast north of the town.

- NZPA