AOS called to Kaikohe standoff

A Taser stun gun. Photo / Christine Cornege

A 28-year-old man was shot twice with a police Taser stun gun during a four-hour drama in the Far North town of Kaikohe today.

Police said the man had been arrested for breaching the conditions of his bail but when he was allowed to gather some clothes, he grabbed a knife from the kitchen of his house.

During a struggle he was slightly hurt in the chest but he continued to threaten police with the knife.

Police shot the man with a Taser when he threatened to stab his partner.

The man's partner was released but the man barricaded himself inside and threatened to blow up the house with a gas bottle.

The police armed offenders squad was deployed and after four hours of negotiations forced their way into the house. Another Taser was fired when they found the man with a knife held to his throat.

The man was remanded in custody until Monday when he appeared in the District Court in Kaikohe on charges of threatening to kill, aggravated assault and resisting police. His 38-year-old partner was charged with obstructing police.

- NZPA