A protester has thrown a sex toy at Steven Joyce during an interview this afternoon.

The Economic Development Minister was giving a media conference at Waitangi when Josie Butler flung the dildo, shouting "that's for raping our sovereignty".

We actually thought it was a little bit humorous at the end of it all - Steven Joyce

She was taken away by police.

Mr Joyce said he was surprised but "fine" after the dildo incident.

"Fair to say I don’t think those sorts of things happen everyday.

"We actually thought it was a little bit humorous at the end of it all … new experiences in politics everyday, it's the privilege of serving."

Ms Butler was also at the TPPA boyracer protest in Christchurch last weekend, telling ONE News that as a nurse she thought it was really important to take a stand against the agreement.

"I am worried about patient rights because of the price of medications going up," Ms Butler said.