Diego Leonardo Chavez, 35, is facing one charge of assault, after police withdrew a lesser charge in Auckland District Court this morning.
Chavez, today wearing a hoodie emblazoned with "anti-capitalist", was allegedly at a protest outside Prime Minister John Key's post-Budget speech at Auckland's SkyCity events centre on May 22.
He was arrested some hours later.
The transcript of his initial police interview was read to the court.
Though he would not answer all questions, Chavez voiced some strong opinions about Henry, whom he described as "racist''.
"If Paul Henry says I [shoulder-charged him] you can't believe him because he's a liar and a racist ... just turn on the TV,'' he said.
In the interview, the officer in charge of the case, Sergeant David Mayes, suggested Chavez had taken the opportunity to ``teach [Henry] a lesson''.
"What I say is that if he's going to walk on the street with his bigotry and making fun of people, that's going to happen,'' Mr Chavez replied.
Mr Mayes said there were about 50 protesters outside the convention centre on Federal St by about 11.30am on the day of the alleged incident.
Police had repelled the group after they "rushed'' a police line but his attention was drawn to two men who appeared to have drawn the attention of some protesters.
Mr Mayes said he was informed one of them was Henry, who was arriving for an unrelated charity event.
"It was clear it was not a cordial conversation,'' he said.
SkyCity security tried to intervene but the protesters prevented Henry's escape, the court heard.
Police eventually got into position to protect Henry and his associate but Mr Mayes said Chavez managed to run around the back of them.
"He launched himself off the ground, turned his shoulder and collided with Paul Henry's back, causing him to stumble forward,'' the sergeant said.
Instead of risking the wrath of the crowd, Mr Mayes said he informed officers to keep an eye on Chavez, and did so himself.
He described the defendant as "very distinctive'' - "very small with a wide mouth and sallow skin''.
Chavez was eventually arrested some hours later upon leaving the Shakespeare Hotel pub on Albert St.
If found guilty of the charge, Chavez could face up to a year in jail.
The trial, in front of Judge David Sharp without a jury, is expected to conclude this afternoon.
