The alleged incident occurred at the Mobil Service Station on Kaitaia's South Rd. Photo / file
The alleged incident occurred at the Mobil Service Station on Kaitaia's South Rd. Photo / file
A Kaitaia woman has appeared in court after she allegedly coughed on and assaulted police officers called to a petrol station when she refused to wear a mask.
Raychel Anderson, 31, faced charges of assaulting, resisting and obstructing police and failing to comply with a Covid-19 order. She appeared inthe Kaitaia District Court on Wednesday morning.
A 27-year-old man, Horton De Malmanche, was charged with obstructing police and failing to comply with a Covid-19 order for the same confrontation.
Anderson is due back in Kaitaia District Court on September 24. De Malmanche is due in the Manukau District Court by audio-visual link on September 3.
Police said the pair had refused to wear masks as required at all essential services.
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said it was ''incredibly disappointing'' and created an unnecessary and unacceptable risk to staff.
''While we continue to take an education-first approach, police will not hesitate to take enforcement action for deliberate and blatant breaches,'' he said.
At level 4 masks are required on public transport and transport departure points, on flights, in taxis or ride-share vehicles, at healthcare facilities and inside any essential services such as supermarkets, pharmacies and petrol stations.
The exceptions are children aged under 12, and anyone with an exemption for physical or mental illness, or a disability which makes wearing a face covering unsuitable.
Last Thursday another Kaitaia man, 44, and woman, 23, were arrested at the town's Pak'nSave supermarket after allegedly refusing to wear masks.
They were jointly charged with disorderly behaviour and failing to comply with a Covid-19 direction. The woman was also charged with threatening behaviour.