While a 25-year-old man was being processed by police for alleged drink driving, his drunk partner got behind the wheel and drove their car away with two toddlers inside.
Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnissen, of Dunedin, said on Saturday the male was pulled over while traveling from Invercargill to Milton.
He had a breath-alcohol level of 600mcg, more than double the legal limit.
While he was being processed by police, his partner drove away with a one-year-old and two-year-old inside.