Police pursuit round rocks at Shipwreck Bay in Far North

A police pursuit ended up on the rocks at a popular Northland surf beach with the fleeing driver managing to get away.

A video of the pursuit at Shipwreck Bay, well known for excellent surf with long rides, has surfaced on Facebook with those capturing the pursuit providing a colourful commentary.

Police confirmed the pursuit started on Foreshore Rd about 9.43am at Ahipara when an officer wanted to check the vehicle.

The driver allegedly did not stop and continued towards Shipwreck Bay.

The video shows the small 4x4 vehicle splashing through the water just ahead of the marked police ute.

Both vehicles head onto the rocks. The police ute can be seen to get ahead of the other vehicle as it appears to try and block it off.

However the fleeing driver does a U-turn and heads back to the beach.

Carly Schoushkoff, who videoed the action, said she was on the deck of a friend's house at the bay having breakfast when they heard the siren.

"The next thing there was a police truck chasing another car through the water onto the rocks.

"It was the best action ever and just like watching a movie."

Schoushkoff, from Devonport, has spent holidays at the beautiful bay over the last 10 years but said it was one of the more unusual incidents she had seen.

She said the police vehicle blew a tyre while on the rocks and the officer stopped back on the beach.

The rocks can be navigated at low tide to gain access to smaller properties around the coast.

It was unclear as to wether police had subsequently tracked down the driver.