A dramatic weekend police pursuit in Taranaki was allegedly started when a man travelling from Hawke's Bay breached a Covid checkpoint into the region.
The 26-year-old was taken into custody near Urenui in north Taranaki about midday on Saturday, 45 minutes after the failing to stop for a checkpoint in Mōkau.
A police spokeswoman said the driver was believed to have travelled to Taranaki on the morning of the breach from Hawke's Bay, via Taupō.
A pursuit began and spikes were laid on the road. The driver of the car hit the spikes, at which time the driver drove "towards an officer", she said.
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Advertise with NZME."The vehicle suffered damage to at least one tyre during the spiking but continued driving south."
Police used a patrol car to stop the car on State Highway 3 near the intersection with Okoki Rd.
"This was at low speed and nobody was injured," the spokeswoman said.
A patrol car was also damaged in the pursuit.
The driver, a 26-year-old man, is facing a number of charges including failing to stop for a Covid-19 checkpoint, assault with a weapon (the car) and reckless driving.
He is scheduled to appear in New Plymouth District Court on Monday.
The Taranaki checkpoint had been set up on Thursday evening following a Government announcement Waikato's level 3 bubble would be extended south to the Mōkau River.
Stuff reported the man was a "gang member". Police said there was "nothing to suggest he is a Covid risk".
