The driver of a sewage truck which collided with a police car two days before Christmas has appeared in court charged with careless driving causing injury.
Grant Frederick Butler made his first appearance in the Kaitaia District Court on Friday.
The 61-year-old is due back on April 15 when he is expected to enter a plea.
The crash occurred on State Highway 1 at Pukenui, outside the Houhora Big Game and Sports Fishing Club, 50km north of Kaitaia, when a septic-tank pumping truck and a ute driven by Houhora police Senior Constable Tracee Knowler collided.
The vehicles were extensively damaged. The truck driver suffered neck injuries when thrown from the cab, while Ms Knowler needed stitches in a leg and has had ongoing problems with a knee.
Following an investigation by the police Serious Crash Unit and the Independent Police Complaints Authority, which examines any crash involving police, the driver of the pump truck was charged with careless driving causing injury.
Inspector Murray Hodson said police appreciated the help many Northlanders had offered during the investigation.
Shortly after the crash, Ms Knowler said she put her escape from serious injury down to her Holden ute, airbags, seatbelt and possibly stab-proof vest.
It had been strange and humbling to experience a crash from "the other side", she said.