Police are thanking a member of the public who helped to tackle a man who had just assaulted an officer with a chair in Kaikohe.
Senior Sergeant Stephanie Hudson said the officer had been dealing with a 19-year-old man, on the corner of Broadway and Routley Ave in Kaikohe, about 1.20pm on Tuesday.
The man, who police say had a warrant for his arrest, allegedly assaulted the officer and ran out on to the street.
Ms Hudson said the officer then tackled the young man to the ground and pepper sprayed him. However, the man then allegedly grabbed a chair from a nearby cafe and threw it at the officer.
Ms Hudson said at this point a member of the public assisted the officer in tackling the man to the ground. A 19-year-old was charged with assault with a weapon, assaults police, resists police and escaping police custody.
Ms Hudson said police wanted to thank the man for coming forward and helping.
The alleged offender appeared in Kaikohe District Court yesterday morning and was remanded in custody.