Father in custody after tot slapped

The man was arrested and Child Youth and Family have been informed of the incident. Photo / File

A Whangarei father has been arrested after police say he slapped his 2-year-old daughter several times because she wouldn't shut up and kept demanding her bottle.

Sergeant John Fagin, of Whangarei police, said the man was arrested on Monday and charged with two counts of assaulting the child on Sunday.

Mr Fagin said the 37-year-old man and his partner were at a Kamo address about 1pm on Sunday when they got into a dispute.

He said the incident stopped when the woman said she would call police, but the couple's 2-year-old daughter then asked for her bottle.

Mr Fagin said the man then turned his anger on the girl and started swearing at her and telling her to stop the demands.

"The girl said no and he slapped her across the face with an open hand. The child fell to the floor and when she got up she again asked for her bottle," Mr Fagin said.

He said the man then slapped the girl at least twice more while telling her in no uncertain terms to shut up.

The man left the room and the woman took her daughter to stay at another place on Sunday night before police were called on Monday.

The man was arrested and Child Youth and Family have been informed of the incident.

A Whangarei man was remanded in custody when he appeared in Whangarei District Court on the charges yesterday and will reappear today.