Fleeing vehicle spiked after hour-long on-and-off police chase across south Auckland

DOMINICO ZAPATA/FAIRFAX NZ

The driver has a series of minor collisions while fleeing police on Friday. [File photo]

A fleeing driver led police on an hour-long, on-and-off chase across south Auckland, smashing into several other cars before being arrested. 

The driver was first spotted in Pukekohe speeding and driving dangerously at 12.42pm on Friday, with three others in the car. 

The vehicle failed to stop for police, who then engaged the fleeing vehicle for a short distance, said Kai Shao, police Northcomms Shift Commander.

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Locals said the chase made it all the way over to the Clevedon village, after its origins in Pukekohe.

"However due to the excessive speed and dangerous manner of driving the unit disengaged a short time later."

With police units on the ground dropping back, the police Eagle helicopter was then called in to keep an eye on the car from above.

Shao said the helicopter observed the vehicle driving recklessly while having a number of minor collisions with vehicles throughout Counties Manukau.

"Luckily no one was hurt."

Clevedon locals said a large police presence was seen, centred over the Clevedon village area, about 30km from where the chase started.

"The fleeing vehicle stopped briefly where three occupants got out before it continued to drive erratically again covering a vast area," Shao said.

"Police units had to abandon engagement a number of times."

He said police successfully deployed spikes and the vehicle eventually came to a stop 58 minutes after it was first spotted.

The driver attempted flee by foot into nearby bushes, Shao said, however Eagle helicopter staff were able to land and quickly arrested the offender, along with ground staff.

The driver was facing a number of charges.