A man threw an ostrich egg at his wife because her pet pig damaged his tools.

Phillip Marau Glanville Russell, 47, lost his temper when he discovered the pig had caused $2500 of damage to his saw.

Appearing in Hastings District Court yesterday, Russell pleaded guilty to assault using an ostrich egg as a weapon, assault, and breaching a protection order.

He picked an argument with his wife of 20 years when she came home to their rural Waipawa property with their 9-year-old son last week.

He swore at her before spitting at her four or five times.

Russell then grabbed a large ostrich egg from the kitchen table and threw it at her with force. The heavy egg hit her in the chest, causing bruising.

The woman took her son and fled to a ute in the driveway. Russell ran after the pair and banged on the window before they drove off.

Police arrested Russell the next morning when they found him near his home.

His lawyer, Antony Willis, said Russell had asked his wife repeatedly to keep the pig under control because it had damaged their house, their neighbour's house and council property. But his wife insisted it should be given "free range".

Mr Willis said the pig's latest antics set Russell off. Russell admitted he acted inappropriately by spitting at his wife but said he threw the egg expecting she would catch it.

The offending occurred while Russell was subject to a sentence of supervision.

Judge Richard Watson said he was concerned about Russell's previous domestic violence. He remanded him in custody and ordered a pre-sentence report before sentencing on August 22.