Far North woman four times over the limit with three kids in the car

A Far North woman with three young children in her car - one of them a four-week-old baby - was allegedly more than four times over the alcohol limit when she refused to stop for police.

Sergeant Haydn Korach said an officer tried to stop the 38-year-old about 9pm on Friday after a member of the public complained about her driving.

He said she allegedly refused to stop and instead led police on a low-speed chase, averaging about 25km/h, along Waitehuia Rd and Roma Rd near Ahipara.

Mr Korach said she was breath-tested when she eventually stopped, recording an alcohol level of 1089 micrograms per litre of breath. The legal limit is 250mcg.

The woman had two four-year-olds in the car and a four-week-old baby, he said.

She was due to appear in the Kaitaia District Court yesterday charged with driving with excess breath alcohol for a third or subsequent time, failing to stop, driving while disqualified, refusing to accompany police and obstruction. CYF has been notified.

Mr Korach commended the member of the public who had reported the woman's driving.

"If you know something like this is happening, let us know so we can act before something more serious happens. Obviously there's a lot more risk when there are kids involved," he said.