The Morrinsville office of Work and Income New Zealand remains shut today after a machete-wielding man smashed his way into the building about 5.20 pm yesterday.
Two staff in the office at the time saw the man break in and were able to make their escape through a rear exit and
alert police.
Armed offenders squad members from Hamilton arrived at the scene by helicopter and cordoned off the area.
After negotiations with police a man gave himself up shortly before 9.30 pm .
Work and Income National Manager Ray Smith today praised the two staff involved in the incident.
"They are a little bit shaky, but they handled the situation very very well... they followed the security procedures and I'm proud of the way they handled themselves," he told National Radio.
Mr Smith could not say what prompted the attack . "The details of that are yet to come out. I think we have to leave that for the police."
The office would be closed today but would reopen within the next couple of days after damage was repaired and staff were comfortable about going back in.
Morrinsville Work and Income clients could receive service at the Matamata office while the Morrinsville office was closed.
- NZPA
