Wanganui knife thrower arrested

Nikayla Hawea (picture with her child) said she was relieved to hear the news of the arrest. Photo / Stuart Munro

A man who threw a knife at a passing car carrying a mother and her daughter has been arrested.

The man handed himself in after seeing his victims - Nikayla Hawea and her 5-year-old girl Zania - pictured in the Wanganui Chronicle.

The kitchen knife shattered the driver's side window as Miss Hawea drove through Aramoho last Thursday.

Miss Hawea said she was relieved to hear the news of the arrest.

"I feel so much better knowing he's been arrested - that he's come forward and accepted responsibility.

"I'm feeling pretty good that he's handed himself in. It was a freaky situation."

The incident left Zania, who was in the seat beside her mother, shaken and upset.

Miss Hawea later returned to the scene to find the 20cm blade, which had a sharpened edge, and its handle on the road.

Senior Sergeant Lance Kennedy said the man, who has not been named by police, turned himself in after seeing the story in the paper.

He will appear in Whanganui District Court on July 18 charged with wilful damage.