Cold beer will help says policeman attacked at Waitangi

Northland policeman Mark Caswell says a cold beer will help him recover from an attack by a man who allegedly drove his car into the Waitangi Treaty House grounds overnight, slightly damaging the 172-year-old building.

Mr Caswell was called to the Treaty House at Paihia in Northland overnight after reports of a car being driven around the grounds in front of the historic house.

The 27-year-old Maori man was alleged to have driven the car into the house and through the gardens at the back before attacking Mr Caswell as he was being arrested.

The man was due to appear in court on numerous charges, including assault, wilful damage, dangerous driving, and threatening to kill.

Police said Mr Caswell was head-butted, punched and had an eye gouged.

"I've got a cut to the forehead and lacerations to the side of my face," Mr Caswell said.

He would not say any more about the incident because the man had been charged and was due in court, possibly tomorrow.

The man was alleged to have driven his car up from the waka house at the bottom of the beach and onto the Treaty House grounds.

Police said he drove around the flagstaff in front of the house several times before driving into the garden at the back of the Treaty House and over an historic pump by the walkway down one side of the house.

The car knocked over the pump and became stuck on a concrete structure. It was due to be removed by police today.

Mr Caswell said his injuries were not bad. He was treated by ambulance officers overnight and was due to have the injuries assessed by a doctor today.

"It's nothing a cold beer won't fix. I'll be fine, it's all in a day's work," he said.

- NZPA