Nine caught drink driving in Wellington overnight, two motorists flee police

A major operation, called "We want you here for Christmas", was conducted in the capital. Photo / File

A disqualified driver hit a police officer with his vehicle as he tried to flee from police at an alcohol checkpoint in Wellington overnight.

The officer was unhurt and the driver was later arrested at his home.

He was one of two drivers who decided to flee from the police during the launch of an alcohol-focused harm prevention operation called "We Want You Here for Christmas" that police launched in conjunction with the NZ Transport Agency last night.

The driver will face charges in court on Tuesday.

As part of the operation police pulled over more than 3000 vehicles in the capital during a three-hour period.

Nine people were also caught drink driving, a figure that police say is "really disappointing".

Two of the drivers pulled over blew over the 400mg breath alcohol limit.

National road policing manager Superintendent Steve Greally said when people were driving they were operating a one tonne vehicle that has huge potential for harm.

"People need to be aware and respectful of this. That means giving their driving their full attention, driving to the conditions, and not driving drunk or impaired in any way.

"These people were putting the lives of everybody else they were sharing the road with in danger."

NZTA senior manager Lisa Rossiter said even one person over the limit is too many.

Police also issued about a dozen tickets for other reasons, including motorists not wearing seatbelts.

"This is not the behaviour we want to see on our roads," Greally said.

"However, at the same time it was good to see people who were doing the right thing.

"And a lot of people were happy to see us out on the roadside and thanked us for being there and for keeping them safe."

Greally said police wanted everyone to be safe on New Zealand roads and he urged motors to wear their seatbelts, adjust their speed to the conditions, put their phone away and drive sober and alert "because we want you here for Christmas".

"If everybody decided to act responsibly every time they got in a car we could see so many lives saved."