Emerald Lawns operator said he was cleaning his own signs, which had also been vandalised. Photo: Supplied/Steve Howley
A West Auckland lawn mower says he's received death threats after a Facebook post from Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere accused him of vandalising election hoardings.
Emerald Lawns operator Steve Howley told RNZ he didn't go to work on Thursday because he was fearful of being attacked.
But, Tamihere said the issue is now with the police who will determine the "veracity" of the claims.
Pictures of Howley and his work vehicle were posted to Tamihere's Facebook page, who urged his follow to help identify the owner the vehicle and thanked "vigilant bystanders" for capture the footage, following the vandalism of election hoarding for Tamaki Makaurau byelection candidate Oriini Kaipara.
Photo: Screenshot via Facebook
Howley said he was there cleaning his own signs, which had also been vandalised, and had no idea he'd been photographed.
By the time he got home, he said, he had received a threatening phone call from someone speaking in an "aggressive" tone, followed by threatening private messages to his business page.
"He says, 'I'm going to get everyone ringing your number and spread your number' [and] I'm like, dude, you need to explain what you got on about'," Howley said.
"I've had people calling me telling me I'm a racist, and taking photos off my personal page and putting it up on John's page. Some extremely, not nice photos."
Howley said he moved to West Auckland from Ireland 15 years ago and wanted to "respect this country while I live here".
"I don't stamp on anyone's feet. All I'm doing is trying to cut lawns, you know? I'm a community guy, all for the community. I don't do confrontation."
Howley said he had since filed a report with the police.
"I'm not even into politics. I have no interest in any political party. All I've tried to do is get a small business off the ground and build it... this could damage my business. It's just crazy, it's nuts." he said.
In another post to Facebook, Tamihere said the issue had been referred to police.
In a statement to RNZ, Tamihere said Howley could claim "what he likes" but the case was about "evidence" and ultimately the police would determine the "veracity" of Howley's claims.
Police have been asked for comment.
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