Air hostesses in cab attack

Alexis Hickman-Green and Rebeka Raiwalui allege they were attacked. Photo / Herald on Sunday

An Auckland taxi driver has been charged after allegedly attacking two air hostesses over a fare dispute in the central city.

But the cabbie - who until now has slipped under transport officials' notice and continues to work - says he was acting in self defence, a claim that was greeted by scepticism by a district court judge.

The two women allege the driver hit one of them in the face and grabbed the other's throat in an attack that left them distressed and distraught.

Taxi driver Zulfiqar Khan, 36, appeared in the Auckland District Court on Friday on two charges of assault relating to an incident opposite SkyCity casino on May 9.

Transport officials last night admitted they had not been aware of the matter until Herald on Sunday inquiries - police had failed to pass on details of the case.

The alleged victims are Alexis Hickman-Green, 25, and Rebeka Raiwalui, 24, who said she took time off work to recover from what she described as the "worst thing that's ever happened to me". The pair are air hostesses for Qantas and Pacific Blue.

Khan pleaded not guilty to both charges. His lawyer, Charlotte Taylor, told Judge Field "all matters are in dispute except identity".

She asked for a defended hearing, saying she had limited knowledge of the case because she had just been appointed but her client was claiming "self defence".

Judge Field expressed surprise, saying: "Self defence? Forgive me for my scepticism."

He then read from the police summary which alleged Khan grabbed one of the girls by her hair, pulled her to the ground with his hand around her throat, then "started on the other girl". He then stood over them "yelling obscenities".

"Where's the self defence there?" Judge Field asked.

Khan was released on bail and is due to reappear in November for a defended hearing. He is still driving for Summit Taxis as an owner-operator.

Acting manager Shane Jam said the company was aware of the allegations. "He is still driving taxis at the moment. We wait for written notification from the police or [New Zealand Transport Agency]. They tell us which action to take. Until that, we can't take any action at the moment."

But NZTA spokesman Andy Knackstedt was only informed about Khan's charges when the Herald on Sunday raised questions. Normally, a cab company had procedures to allow them to stand down a driver facing serious charges.

Asked whether Khan should be allowed to carry passengers while he faced charges, Knackstedt said it was a "fair question. That's why we'll be looking very closely at it [on] Monday morning. On Friday, we asked police to provide us with further information.

"We don't want to prejudge the outcome but we'll definitely be investigating it."

Raiwalui told the Herald on Sunday the ordeal began after she and Alexis had been socialising with friends at the Viaduct. The pair jumped into a Mercedes taxi on Quay St to travel to SkyCity.

Raiwalui said the driver had no problem with taking them, even though it was a short distance and a small fare. She alleged he became violent after a dispute over the payment.

"I think it was around $8.50 and Alexis gave over $20 and he gave her just a couple of coins back.

"We were like, 'Where's the rest of the change?' He just got really angry. He was yelling at us to get out of his car.

"I think she got the right change back. When I got out of the car he was yelling at us, he was saying to me, he kept on repeating, 'oh you, rough Maori'. I'm not even Maori."

Raiwalui said she "slammed" the cab door. She claimed Khan then got out and grabbed her by the hair on the back of her head and pulled her to the ground.

The pair tried to defend themselves. "I've got hair extensions and I lost hair extensions. He pulled my hair out. I did have a big bruise on my elbow.

"The back of my head was very sore where the extensions had come out just above my neck.

"I know he hit Alexis because she had a sore cheek. She had gravel in her hands and she slid across the ground."

Another cabbie rescued the women, and took them to the police.

"We were in no way rude to him. There was nothing that we did to provoke him. It's the worst thing that's ever happened to me."

* Simple rules to keep you safe

Well-known companies are more likely to have internal inspections to weed out bad eggs.

Note driver's ID and vehicle's registration number.

If you are putting a friend who has been drinking into a cab alone, take a mobile phone photograph of the driver's ID and rego plate.

If you become uneasy, call the police or talk to a friend until you are home safe.

Talk about a father, boyfriend or husband who is waiting for you. A pair of men's boots on the doorstep may help if you live alone.

Car keys are a great weapon if you hold them in your fist with the keys poking between your fingers.

Make sure your spare house key is not in an obvious hiding place.

If you want to make a complaint, contact your local police station or the New Zealand Transport Agency.