Annoyed by a text message, Peter John Orchard drove at speed and smashed a ute into three light poles with a woman and children in the vehicle.
Three screaming children were in the back seat and a female front-seat passenger was knocked unconscious and had to be cut from the wreckage by volunteers of the Kerikeri Fire Brigade.
Orchard, 37, has pleaded guilty in the High Court at Whangarei to two charges of common assault, one of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, dangerous driving, and one of breaching a protection order.
An agreed summary of facts stated Orchard was driving a woman and three children from Kerikeri to Paihia on January 6. She received a text message that mentioned allegations against him.
Orchard became extremely agitated and angry and, as he approached the intersection of State Highway 10 and Kerikeri Rd, he drove off the road and into several road signs.