Kiwi's violent meltdown sparked by Aussie mocking of accent

Photo / Youtube

An expat Kiwi has reportedly been arrested after having a violent meltdown over an Australian TV ad mocking the New Zealand accent.

The 44-year-old Griffith man, who immigrated to Australia from New Zealand, allegedly assaulted and intimidated a WIN Television employee after the station aired a satirical ad for furniture seller Knockonwood, the Area News reported.

It features two birds mimicking a thick New Zealand accent as they talk about "sweet as" and "choice" deals.

Police claim the man abused Knockonwood's owner over the phone before heading to the WIN Television offices and demanding to know who cleared the ad, reports said.

He then assaulted a man from the station's advertising team, police said.

The man was arrested and charged with intimidation, common assault, resisting arrest, intimidating police and misusing a telecommunications device.

He is set to appear in court on June 13.

Paul Pierotti, managing director of Knockonwood's parent company, the Caesar Group, told the Area News he would not take the ad off air over the alleged attack.

He said the group had "no intention" of offending anyone.

"It's part of the culture of both Australia and New Zealand to poke fun at each other.

"At the end of the day, we wanted to create an ad that cut through and sometimes to do that you have to go for a novelty angle.

"We are really sorry if anyone found that offensive."

- HERALD ONLINE