Two teenagers are alleged to have taken exception to pre-paying their taxi and are accused of assaulting the driver before taking off in his taxi in Hamilton.
The pair, aged 15 and 17, were arrested soon after a short police chase which came to an end on Anzac Parade, near the Hamilton Central Police Station.
After the women called for a taxi, the driver asked them to pay for the trip before their travel, police said.
They then allegedly assaulted the driver and stole the taxi.
Police were called and followed the stolen taxi before spikes were deployed on Memorial Drive and the vehicle was stopped on Anzac Parade.