Driver arrested after rush hour police pursuit in Auckland

Police have arrested a man after "appalling behaviour" by a driver fleeing from officers across Auckland during the afternoon rush hour.

A vehicle of interest was pursued by officers and the Eagle helicopter from the Mt Roskill area to Te Atatū Road after 4pm on Tuesday.

Senior Sergeant Mike Wickman said the vehicle fled from police when approached by officers in the Mt Wellington area.

"Police have attempted to engage with the vehicle, but the driver has driven off and begun driving in an erratic manner toward the Southern Motorway," he said.

"Eagle has continued to monitor the Subaru being driven erratically northbound through evening traffic towards Market Road."

An RNZ staffer said they saw a "high-speed police chase" on Khyber Pass Road shortly before 5pm.

"At least nine cop cars."

Wickman said the vehicle exited the motorway into Newmarket and was seen driving on the wrong side of the road, narrowly missing other vehicles and pedestrians.

"The appalling behaviour continued onto the North-Western Motorway, where the Subaru has been involved in minor collisions with several vehicles on the Newton Road onramp."

Wickman said the Subaru was forced to stop at the Te Atatū Road exit due to damage and a 54-year-old man was taken into custody.

He said charges would be laid.