Summarised by Centrist
Steve Howley, operator of Emerald Lawns in West Auckland, says he has received death threats and abusive messages after Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere accused him on Facebook of vandalising election hoardings for Tamaki Makaurau by-election candidate Oriini Kaipara.
Howley denied the claims, telling RNZ, “I was there cleaning my own signs, which had also been vandalised, and had no idea I’d been photographed.”
He described the threats he received: “I had a threatening phone call from someone speaking in an aggressive tone, followed by threatening private messages to my business page.”
He added, “I’ve had people calling me telling me I’m a racist, and taking photos off my personal page and putting it up on John’s page.”
Concerned for his safety, Howley said, “I didn’t go to work on Thursday because I was fearful of being attacked.” He also said, “I’m not even into politics. All I’ve tried to do is get a small business off the ground and build it… This could damage my business. It’s just crazy, it’s nuts.”
“He can claim what he likes, but the case is about evidence and ultimately the police will determine the veracity of Howley’s claims,” said Tamihere.
On social media, Tamihere urged followers to help identify the owner of the vehicle and thanked “vigilant bystanders” for capturing footage of the alleged vandalism.
