A woman is facing charges today in relation to an attack on a group of Muslim New Zealanders.
The group of friends stopped for a break in Huntly when a woman verbally abused the group, calling them "f**king Muslim bitches", throwing a can of beer at them and allegedly attempting to punch two members of the group.
On Sunday police said they had arrested a 27-year-old woman, who would be facing charges of assault, assault with a weapon and offensive language.
The accused is due to appear in court on Monday morning.
Mehpara Khan overwhelmed by public response
There have been positive outcomes for everyone involved in the incident, Mehpara Khan, the woman who filmed the attack, told RadioLIVE on Monday morning.
She said the accused "has the opportunity now to access the help she needs" and it's started a conversation about Islamophobia in New Zealand.
Ms Khan said that she's been contacted by others who have experienced abuse because of their race or religion who had never thought to film the incident.
Dharmesh Parikh wrote on Facebook that he has experienced similar attacks in the past.
"Ask any dairy owner for their list of racial attacks," he wrote.
Despite the incident, Ms Khan said she's been overwhelmed and heartened by the response from the public.
"A minority engages in this type of behaviour, and that's come through in the overwhelming response on social media," Ms Khan said.
Speaking to Newshub, Pukekohe resident Nikayla Hocking said she's "not naive to think this behaviour doesn't exist", but that she's shocked to see it in a welcoming and peaceful country.
"I feel for Mehpara Khan and others that have had this happen to them. It needs to stop," she said.
She was one of many to share the video Ms Khan took, expressing her outrage at the abuse, and her sympathy for the victims.
Newshub.
