Kaitaia police get their boy - and his dad - after night-time pursuit of teen driver through town

The driver of a car that led police on a protracted pursuit around the streets of Kaitaia on Sunday night turned out to be a 14-year-old with his father in the passenger seat.

The father, 41, had led police on a shorter pursuit in another vehicle the night before.

Sunday night's incident started at 11.30pm when the car was seen in Watt St without headlights.

It blew out a front tyre when it hit a speed bump in West Lane but the boy continued driving on Redan Rd and Pukepoto Rd, finally crashing on the intersection of Lake and Pukepoto roads.

He tried to flee on foot but was tackled to the ground by two officers.

The father, described by police as intoxicated, had been pursued on Saturday night after police saw his vehicle turn from South Rd into Redan Rd, and past the police station, at speed. He was followed at 30km/h until he was stopped in Worth St.

He elected to give blood for alcohol analysis but later declined to do so at Kaitaia Hospital. He was charged with refusing to give a blood sample and failing to stop.

The Ministry for Vulnerable Children (formerly CYF) was advised and the boy was released into the care of his father.