Two young men fled from police in an Audi A8 before crashing in spectacular fashion near Havelock North last night.
The pair failed to stop and were pursued by police about 9.30pm as they fled down River Rd, a dead end street, before ploughing through a power pole when they reached a bend and slope along the road.
One of the passengers in the European car suffered head injuries and was taken to hospital by ambulance, while the other passenger was taken back to the station to be tested for drink driving.
A new Audi A8 retails at more than $170,000 in New Zealand.
Power to the surrounding area was turned off by Unison Networks due to the dangerous live wires that were hanging from the damaged power poles.