Seconds later, the camera was suddenly knocked to the ground.

A child was seen in running behind Hendy before the camera fell over.

Petrie said: “Oh I’m very sorry are you okay? Okay that wasn’t good. I hope that the cameraman is okay.”

TVNZ said in a statement “An individual ran through a 1 NEWS live cross just before 5pm. Our 1 NEWS cameraman and a member of the public were pushed to the ground. Our cameraman was attended to by ambulance staff – everyone is ok, including @hendysh who was being interviewed. The police are also present.”

Petrie later told viewers that Hendy and the camera operator were not hurt.

Shaun Hendy tweeted “seems to have been a case of wrong place, wrong time. Camera operator and a member of the public were hurt, but both are on their feet now. I am fine. Thanks New Zealand police. for prompt response.”