A man has been recorded on a bus in Wellington telling a group of people to "go back to their own country".

Hutt Valley police have arrested and charged a man over a racist rant incident filmed by a bus passenger.

The incident took place on a Valley Flyer bus travelling between Petone and Naenae last Wednesday morning.



Police were asked to investigated allegations a man had hurled anti-Islamic racial abuse against two passengers after cellphone footage of the incident emerged online.

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The footage, which also showed another bus passenger defending the two young men targeted, was posted on social media where it prompted widespread outrage.

Hutt Valley Area Commander Inspector Sean Hansen revealed the arrest on Sunday, thanking members of the public for their assistance.

A 66-year-old Lower Hutt man is scheduled to appear in Hutt Valley District Court on Tuesday.

Police had charged him with using threatening language, Hansen said.

People can be prosecuted for using recklessly using language deemed threatening or insulting in a public place, or for deliberately addressing another person using indecent or obscene language. The offence is punishable by a fine of $1000. Using obscene language where others might overhear it attracts a lesser fine of $500.

Police were still deliberating on their options for the second charge the man would face and police would make a decision by midday Monday, Hansen said.

Commentators on the case have previously pointed out it is an offence under the Human Rights Act to incite racial disharmony.