PM hints at tighter security for Waitangi day events
Security around Prime Minister John Key is likely to be beefed up at next weekend's Waitangi Day celebrations after he was assaulted last year.While the Prime Minister does not generally comment on his security arrangements, today he made it clear that la
Security around Prime Minister John Key is likely to be beefed up at next weekend's Waitangi Day celebrations after he was assaulted last year.
While the Prime Minister does not generally comment on his security arrangements, today he made it clear that last year's events would have been taken into account.
"Obviously my people were there, they've looked at what's gone on and I would expect them to take an appropriate response when we go up to the lower marae this year," Mr Key said on TV One's Breakfast show.
John Junior Popata, 33, a researcher, and Wikatana Popata, 19, an interviewer, were convicted after the scuffle outside Te Tii Marae during which Mr Key, who already had a broken arm, was grabbed but not injured.
The brothers were each sentenced to 100 hours' community work.
Mr Key said the incident was a small part of what had overall been a festive occasion. He visits Waitangi this Friday and Saturday.
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.