An armed high risk offender is being chased by police after allegedly assaulting his pregnant partner in Horotiu.
Police said Christopher Hemi Mahara, 34, got into an argument with his partner while they were travelling in their car on River Rd at 3:30pm on Saturday.
He pulled over to the side of the road and assaulted the pregnant woman, police said.
Detective Sergeant Mata John said the woman managed to escape when Mahara stopped at a liquor store in Ngaruawahia.
The incident was more serious because Mahara was carrying a loaded .22 rifle and an axe handle, she said.
