The woman who made headlines here and overseas after throwing a sex toy at a senior government minister yesterday has narrowly escaped charges.

The fake penis was thrown by Christchurch nurse Josie Butler during a television interview with Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and the footage has since made its way around the world.

Ms Butler was protesting against the TPPA but was keeping a low profile at Waitangi's lower marae today.

"The statement's been made and we'll leave it at that," Ms Butler told ONE News reporter Helen Castles.

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

An unharmed Steven Joyce is laughing the incident off as "a bit humorous".

But his boss is definitely not amused, with John Key saying it's appalling because the image has gone around the world and there are now people in other countries saying New Zealanders celebrate their national day by throwing a sex toy at a senior politician.