Man charged over Masterton church fires restrained in court incident

By CathNews New Zealand

May 23rd, 2025

St Patrick’s Church, Masterton (Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington)

A man facing seven charges of arson related to church fires in Masterton in February was subdued by Police when he attempted a haka in court earlier this week. Source: Wairarapa Times-Age.

A 44-year-old man had been arrested “without incident” on May 18 in Masterton, following the execution of a search warrant. In the Masterton District Court the following day, the man was granted interim name suppression and stood quietly in the dock for most of his appearance.

But he started to perform a haka directed at two magistrates after being told he would be remanded in custody until his next court appearance on June 26.

Two police officers attempted to restrain him as he leaned over a glass balustrade. One officer reached around the man’s neck and put a hand on his face while he was brought to ground, while still attempting a haka. The man was dragged out of the courtroom. A man in the public gallery shouted “stop the violence, stop the violence” several times.

The Anglican Church of the Epiphany, St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Masterton Baptist church, and Equippers Church Masterton all suffered damage ranging from “moderate to significant” in fires in the early hours of February 22. Three other churches were targeted but did not catch alight.

After the arrest on May 18, and before the court appearance, Wairarapa area commander Inspector Nick Thom thanked the community for its support during the investigation.

“The fires were unsettling and upsetting for many people, and I hope today’s arrest brings some comfort,” he said.

Sarah Nothnagel of the Anglican Church of the Epiphany said it was a relief that Police had made an arrest.

“It has been on people’s minds he was still out there. It’s not only from parishioners, this is from the wider community,” she said. “We hope that this person gets the help that they need. I think there’s also a wider concern for the rest of the family, because it won’t only affect him, it will affect his family.

“So prayers for the family who will have to be supporting him during this time.”

FULL STORY

Dramatic scenes at Masterton church arson suspect’s first court appearance (By Piers Fuller and Lucy Cooper/Wairarapa Times-Age – subscription required)

Masterton church fires: Man charged with seven counts of arson (1News)