'Driving like he had a death wish' say police

The man allegedly took off in a Suzuki Swift after failing to stop for police on Auckland's North Shore last night. Photo / Supplied

Police say it's a miracle nobody was killed when a man "driving like an idiot with a death wish" sped the wrong way down a motorway last night.

The man allegedly took off in a Suzuki Swift after failing to stop for police on Auckland's North Shore last night.

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Police chased the man but abandoned the pursuit as the driver went onto State Highway 18 at Greenhithe towards oncoming traffic.

"It was fortunate that we had the Police Helicopter Eagle close by who was able to track the offending car to an address off Lincoln Road Henderson where he was arrested," said Inspector Tony Wakelin of the Northern Communications Centre.

"The driver's actions were incredibly stupid and dangerous, as he drove approximately 5km the wrong way down the motorway at high speed forcing oncoming motorway traffic to take evasive action," he added.

"It was a miracle that no one was injured or killed."

Mr Wakelin said the driver, in his 20s, was "driving like an idiot with a death wish" and had endangered the public.

The man was arrested and Mr Wakelin said he would face several charges.