People involved in Papamoa police chase still at large

The people involved in a dramatic 20-minute police chase through Papamoa last night have still not been located by the police.

The chase ended with at least one occupant of the car reportedly fleeing into the sand dunes.

A police spokeswoman said the car was still moving when people got out.

The vehicle continued on and crashed into a parked car, she said.

Witnesses say police put down road spikes to try to stop the car, which was hooning up and down the back streets of Papamoa. Video footage shows the car swerving up onto the footpath to avoid the spikes before speeding away.

One person posted on Facebook that they had nearly been hit as it sped past Pak'nSave. Another claimed the white car was pushing 200km/h as it passed.

A police spokeswoman confirmed officers tried to pull over a vehicle driving on Te Puke Highway about 9pm.

"The driver failed to stop and police began to follow the vehicle. At approximately 9.20pm the driver came to a stop in Range Rd and the occupants ran from the vehicle," she said.

"Police are making inquiries in the area to locate the occupants."

The people involved had still not been located as at 5.30pm today, the police said, and there was no further information about the incident.