A dramatic high-speed chase has ended with a stolen car smashing into a power pole in West Auckland.
The stolen silver saloon crashed into the pole on Te Atatu Rd near the northwestern motorway on-ramp after several police cars chased it around the Henderson area.
Herald reporter Lane Nichols was on his way home when he saw the car speeding head-on towards him.
He was forced to take evasive action and quickly moved out of the way.
"It was pretty freaky, I just had to veer to the left-hand side otherwise I would've collected it.
"About 30 or 40 metres past me it smashed into a pole. The front's all crumpled up and smoking."
Nichols said he could see smoke spilling out from the bonnet of the car.
Police arrested a group of young women, who could be heard swearing at officers.