Police have thanked a news reporter who caught an eight-year-old boy driving his parents' car around Wellington.
Emergency services were called after the boy was spotted driving erratically at about 5am.
One News reporter Lucas De Jong told TVNZ he started following a red SUV after it swerved across the road and clipped a parked car.
He thought the driver was drunk, and when he pulled over outside the James Cook Hotel Grand on The Terrace, he blocked the car in.
The apologetic driver emerged wearing Ben 10 pyjamas, Mr De Jong said.
He told Mr De Jong he took his parents' keys as he did not want to be at home.
Inspector Paris Razos, the acting Wellington emergency response commander, said the boy was not legally liable for any driving offences committed during the "particularly unusual" incident.
Police were working with family to help the boy understand the potential consequences of his actions, he said.
"It's definitely not every day that minors as young as 8 are behind the wheel. However, this is of concern to us and we are liaising further with the boy's parents to ensure he is aware of the risks involved."
He thanked Mr De Jong for stopping the boy's car.
"Luckily the boy and other road users were unharmed. Thankfully the witness took positive action, preventing any potential harm."
Mr De Jong told TVNZ it was a "very bizarre thing to see".
"Interesting start to the day, namely catching an eight year old driving his parents car around Wellington," the Wellington reporter wrote on Twitter.
- NZ Herald Online staff
