KEY POINTS:
A prisoner who escaped this morning when staff opened the rear door of a prison van has been caught.
Police communications Inspector Warren Kemp said Michael Taui Wetere, 26, had been located and arrested in the Kaikoura area about 3.30pm.
The van had been travelling between Nelson and Christchurch.
Nelson Bays area commander Inspector Brian McGurk said Wetere had escaped at Ure River, near Ward in Marlborough at 10.06 am, kicking his way through two locked doors.
When escort staff stopped the vehicle to investigate and opened the exterior door he ran off.
Six other prisoners remained in the vehicle.
Wetere was not considered dangerous.
- NZPA
