Man in custody after police operation at Auckland’s Meola Reef Reserve

A man was tasered and bitten by a police dog as officers stormed a popular Auckland park this evening.

Police said a “person of interest” was found by police at the Meola Reef Reserve car park in Pt Chevalier - but he fled on foot.

At least eight officers were seen by the Herald running through the park and scouring the area near the shoreline. The dog unit and Eagle helicopter were also called.

The reserve is very popular with dog walkers and a police canine handler with an Alsatian yelled for members of the public to secure their animals and clear the area.

Officers then headed further into the reserve, which juts out into the Waitematā Harbour and is bordered by two creeks.

Police told the Herald when officers caught up with the man he assaulted two officers attempting to take him into custody.

“During this struggle, the man was tasered and was also bitten by a police dog,” the spokesperson said.

“He has been seen by ambulance staff and does not have serious injuries.”

Witnesses said a man was taken away from Meola Reef in Auckland.

Three officers were seen carrying the man – understood to have experienced a medical event – out of the reserve shortly after 5.15pm.

Another witness told the Herald he saw a person being taken away in handcuffs with lights and sirens.