On March 1, a fight broke out in the Hawera District Court and spilled onto the street. Taranaki woman Patricia Tahere Green has once again refused to enter the dock.

Five protesters have been arrested after a fracas outside the Hawera District Court this morning.

Supporters of Manaia woman Patricia Tahere Green, 48, and Kylee Kathleen Rereatua Green objected when Patricia Green was removed from court for arguing with the Judge Garry Barkle.

Both women were appearing on charges relating to the theft of Shell Todd Oil Service's seismic survey pegs on December 14.

PETRA FINER A man is subdued on the road by police and members of the public outside the Hawera District Court.

Kylee Green entered the dock and stood calmly but Patricia Green had an extended argument with the judge, first refusing to enter the dock then demanding to speak to a Queen's Counsel "or somebody who is representing the queen".

Patricia Green, who had declined representation, said: "As far as I am aware I am not a criminal and I know that that box is for criminals and I am not a criminal".

She asked judge Garry Barkle to provide identification and argued with him repeatedly until he asked court security to remove her to the cells.

PETRA FINER A pregnant woman is arrested outside the Hawera District Court.

READ MORE: Woman challenges judge during court appearance

As she struggled with police and security staff by the door to the cells, a group of supporters began shouting from the public gallery and suddenly the double doors opened and more supporters arrived bringing in a United Tribes flag. There was a lot of yelling from the group as well as from Patricia Green, who objected loudly to being taken to the cells.



As police and court security rushed to quell the shouting, one woman jumped over the barrier into the court area but was quickly stopped by staff.

One man in the gallery stood shouting but was shushed by his mother beside him.

PETRA FINER Protesters and members of the public watch as people are arrested.

Court registrar Zac Yates called for the court to be closed, then ran forward to assist other court and security and police staff to push the protesters and other members of the public outside and lock the doors. In the cells Patricia Green could be heard singing loudly and tunelessly.

A few moments later, a brawl erupted outside the courthouse after protesters attempted to block the path of a police van that was carrying the two women back to the Hawera police station, said senior sergeant Kyle Davie.

The van left and a small riot broke out as other members of the public joined the ruckus along with extra police reinforcements.

Catherine Groenestein/Fairfax NZ People were protesting outside the Hawera District Court on Tuesday and there was ruckus inside as two women appeared on charges related to stealing survey pegs.

During the fracas five people were arrested and some people were pepper sprayed. Ambulances were called to help at least two people who received minor injuries.

Davie said one police officer had received minor injuries and another person who had complained of a medical issue had been seen by ambulance staff.

During the protest flag bearer Natalie Taha (Ngaruahine​) walked through traffic with her flag to the police station then walked back to the court.

Catherine Groenestein/Fairfax NZ A person is apprehended by police during a ruckus at the Hawera District Court on Tuesday.

"I am standing here to support my family who got abused and arrested after the judge refused to show his ID," she said.

Taha said she had seen an old woman get punched.

A pregnant woman was arrested by police and another man, her partner, was also arrested after he protested her being taken into custody.



Court was closed for some time, but reopened shortly before 12pm. .

In a statement, the police said staff well accustomed to managing events such as these, but would not tolerate illegal behaviour.

"Police have liaised with the Hawera District Court, and we can confirm that five protesters have been arrested for disorderly behaviour while a police woman, who was assaulted by a protester, was admitted to hospital to receive treatment for minor injuries but has since been released."

"Public safety and order is a main priority when attending a protest such as this and although the public are within their rights to protest events, sometimes crowd behaviour becomes anti-social and police have to take action."

At an earlier hearing Patricia Green had denied receiving the survey pegs, valued at $54, on December 14. She had also refused to enter the dock on that occasion. "I'm not a criminal. This jurisdiction has no right to do what you're doing to me. I'm a sovereign, a tangata whenua of the land," she said at the time.

On Tuesday charges of receiving the seismic pegs faced by the two were amended to one charge each of theft.

One of the bystanders watching the events, Te Rawanake Robinson-Coles, said she hoped both sides could meet and settle the tension before the women's next court appearance.

"That's the decision of the police to organise but they have got people who will do that job and I am sure there are people in Maoridom that can arrange to talk."