Nurse Josie Butler yelled "That's for raping our sovereignty" when she threw what appeared to be a large rubber penis at Steven Joyce's face.She said it was a protest against the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal, signed in Auckland on Thursday.Mr Butler was unhurt and later took to Twitter to make a joke of the incident.
Prime Minister John Key had pulled out of attending the event amid a row about New Zealand's role in the TPP.New Zealand's national day marks the 1840 signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, which made New Zealand a part of the British Empire and guaranteed rights to the indigenous Maori population, although many were not fully respected.Mr Joyce did not appear to be harmed by the missile, which hit him in the face as he was talking to reporters.Ms Butler was taken away by police, but is reportedly now out of custody with no charges laid against her.The minister himself appeared to take it in good humour, suggesting that a popular gift made of the incident be sent to the US Daily Show comedian John Oliver - known for making jokes about New Zealand - "so we can get it over with".
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