A high-profile cyberbully will appear in the Rotorua District Court next week, after an alleged assault on an Australian journalist.

Tristan Barker, 18, who lives in the Bay of Plenty, has made news in Australia for being a prolific internet "troll" - someone who posts offensive messages online.

Barker, the son of former Split Enz drummer, Michael Barker, has made internet comments about the Colorado cinema shooting victims, the 9/11 attacks, and joked about Muslim and Jewish people.

When Sydney journalist David Eccleston travelled to Rotorua to interview him, he was allegedly assaulted, The Telegraph newspaper reported.

A New Zealand police spokeswoman said an 18-year-old Rotorua man had been arrested and charged with common assault.

"He will appear in Rotorua District Court later this month. As the matter is before the court police will be making no further comment."