Man in court over Waitangi incident remanded in custody

A man has appeared in court this morning facing charges relating to the damage of the Waitangi Treaty House.

Tamati Kingi has been remanded in custody for a psychiatric assessment on eight charges, including aggravated assault, intentional damage, and threatening to kill.

It is alleged he drove the car that went into the Treaty House early yesterday morning.

Newstalk ZB's reporter at the Kaikohe District Court says loud bangs and yelling could be heard coming from the holding cells before the 26-year-old's appearance.

Police say he was yelling at his lawyer who later told the court he had no instructions from Kingi.

- NEWSTALK ZB