18.11.2004

Police are investigating an overnight attack on the Auckland electorate office of Prime Minister Helen Clark. An axe was thrown through the window in an apparent protest against the Government's foreshore and seabed legislation.

Police were called to the office in the Auckland suburb of Mt Albert after the axe was thrown through the window about 7am but said no one had admitted responsibility. Inspector Karen Wilson said police could not say if it was a reaction to the Government's move to push foreshore and seabed legislation through Parliament.

"I don't know the extent of the damage. There is an axe through the window but I don't know if anybody has got in or what else there is there."

A note left at the office was believed to say Pakeha were venting their anger about injustice to Maori over the foreshore and seabed legislation. The note was believed to claim the broken glass symbolised broken faith, broken trust and shattered justice, and the axe represented the steadfastness of their determination.

The note also said Helen Clark was abandoning the mess she had made by fleeing the country today for the Apec conference in Chile.

- NZPA
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3611511&thesection=news&thesubsection=general