WELLINGTON, March 14 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Green Party co-leader James Shaw was attacked on Thursday morning on his way to cabinet meeting.

Local police confirmed that Shaw was assaulted at around 7:50 a.m. local time near Botanic Garden which leads the footpath to the parliament building.

Shaw was grabbed and punched in the face by a man at his 40's. Shaw consequently suffered a black eye. However, Shaw managed to the scheduled meeting before checking into Wellington hospital for further treatment.

A 47-year-old man was arrested in relation to the assault. The motivation for the attack is yet to be known. Witnesses of the incident are sought by police.

New Zealand Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern spoke to Shaw after the attack. She warned that people in New Zealand should not take safety as granted.

Wellington mayor Justin Lester condemned the attack along with many other Members of Parliament.

James Shaw was born in 1973. He became the co-leader of New Zealand Green Party in 2015.