Girl in trouble after egging Key's car

MARRED: School head Ann Cooper said the girl's actions had marred what was a hugely successful event when John Key (left) came to visit.

A Whangarei Girls' High School student has been stood down after throwing an egg that hit Prime Minister John Key's car during an official visit to the school this week.

The projectile hit the roof of Mr Key's ministerial vehicle as he was leaving the school about noon on Thursday.

The girl has been stood down by the school and is awaiting a hearing before the school's board of trustees. She told the Northern Advocate she and some friends thought throwing the egg at the Prime Minster would be "a bit of fun".

Mr Key, who was in the car when the egg struck, declined to comment on the incident. He was in Whangarei at the launch of the Northpower Fibre ultra-fast broadband rollout and visited the school, Smart Start early childhood education centre and Jane Mander Retirement Village while in the city.

Whangarei Girls' High School principal Ann Cooper said it was disappointing that the egging marred a "wonderful" assembly at the school, where all the students' achievements were highlighted to the Prime Minister and associated dignitaries. "The assembly was absolutely amazing and so positive.

"The girls organised it all and one of our students, as runner-up in the National Race Unity competition, read her wonderful speech to the Prime Minster. It was so special.

"The Prime Minster gave an address about some of the problems faced by youth today and talked a lot about mental health issues facing students. The whole thing was so successful and absolutely wonderful.

"So it's devastating that one student's silly, silly actions have marred what was a hugely successful event for the 1399 other students and staff."

She said the students were gutted and upset at what had happened, and were united in their opposition to the incident.

"They are absolutely devastated that it could be undermined by the actions of one student."

Ms Cooper hoped the incident did not reflect badly on the school as a whole and its students.