Jacinda Ardern has condemned the sword attack on her office this week but said such incidents are not uncommon and have been "fairly consistent" over the past couple of years.
A 57-year-old woman was arrested for wilful damage at Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's Mt Albert electorate office on Thursday.
Ardern's office was left with a shattered window and what appears to be a samurai sword was lying nearby.
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said no one was at the building at the time. She had no further information to provide.
Ardern, who is currently in Antarctica to mark the 65th year of Scott Base, said she was thankful none of her staff were present at the time of the attack.
She said attacks on her office are not unusual.
"Look, unfortunately from time to time we do get such activities at our electorate office, that does not make it okay," Ardern said.
When asked if she thinks there is a greater risk incidents like this will reoccur as it gets closer to election time she said they've had "fairly consistent activity".
"Unfortunately, one thing I have observed is that we've had some fairly consistent activity over the past couple of years. I can't say whether that will become more or less frequent in the lead-up to elections," Ardern said.
"Regardless to the time of year, it's not okay. The people who work in our offices, they are there doing their job, they deserve to work in a safe environment."
On Thursday, Labour Minister Willie Jackson condemned the attack online, saying there has been a "violent change of political debate" in New Zealand from "normal and vigorous disagreement" to "unhinged conspiracy theories".
He urged Kiwis to reach out to family and friends who may have convinced themselves of some "crazy secret conspiracy".
