Farmer over limit twice in 3 hours

A Whangarei farmer was caught drink driving twice within about three hours.

Sergeant Joanne Rouse said the 27-year-old farmer from Maungatapere was also forbidden from driving after recording high readings.

A Traffic Alcohol Group (Tag) team stopped the farmer about 12.20am on Friday and he returned a reading of 1006 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath - three three times the legal limit.

The legal limit for drivers over 20 is 400 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath.

Ms Rouse said officers from the dog handling unit spotted the farmer sitting in a car in the middle of Mangakahia Rd, about 3.40am.

He blew 771 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath.

His driving licence has been suspended for 28 days.

He is facing two charges of drink driving, careless use of a motor vehicle and driving while forbidden and will appear in the Whangarei District Court this week.

In another case, an Auckland man was arrested and charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving while forbidden and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle after a police pursuit in Whangarei.

Ms Rouse said the 18-year-old allegedly stole a Subaru Legacy from Henderson, in west Auckland, on Friday and was seen speeding about 20km south of Whangarei that afternoon.

He reached speeds of 160km/h during a police pursuit when he also conducted passing manoeuvres.

Police abandoned the chase but he pulled over when police next sighted him.

He appeared in the Whangarei District Court on Saturday and was remanded in custody. Police opposed bail.