Kainga Ora tenant charged with assaulting maintenance man with weapon in Napier

A young girl was waiting for the contractor in his work van at the time, witnesses said.

State housing provider Kainga Ora has declined to comment on an alleged blunt weapon assault of a maintenance contractor during a call-out in Napier.

The contractor's van was also damaged during the call-out on Carlyle St on Friday evening.

Asked about the incident and what steps are in place to protect contractors in risky situations, a spokesperson for Kainga Ora Homes and Communities said:

"Any incident of this kind should be referred to police. As it's an active police matter it's not appropriate for us to provide any additional comments."

Police confirmed they were called to the address about 6.20pm on Friday and arrested a 40-year-old man.

Hawke's Bay Today understands he was a tenant at the Kainga Ora-operated house.

Facing charges of assaulting the maintenance man with a blunt weapon and wilful damage, the accused has been remanded in custody to appear in Napier District Court on October 7.

Contractors were not immediately prepared to comment for fear of jeopardising their businesses.

Witnesses in the Carlyle St area alleged a tenant threw objects at a maintenance man and caused considerable damage to his work van. A young girl was waiting in the vehicle at the time, witnesses said.