Hostage breaks rib in carjack

An elderly Chinese woman taken hostage with her husband and son in the weekend carjacking suffered a broken rib during the ordeal.

Police do not believe the injury happened when the family's car was forced off the road by members of the armed offenders squad.

The "rolling block" action ended a 45-minute drama that began when a vehicle failed to stop for police in the suburb of Newton on Sunday.

The car was pursued to the St Lukes Shopping Centre carpark, where the driver abandoned it.

Shots were fired in the carpark before a man got into the Chinese family's Volkswagen sedan and ordered the elderly man to drive.

Detective Inspector Dave Pearson said at least six shots were fired during the incident. Six vehicles, including police cars and private cars parked in the shopping centre at the time, have been examined.

Police fired one shot as the VW was chased at normal speeds through suburban West Auckland and on to the Northwestern Motorway.

The elderly couple were taken by ambulance to hospital for a check-up and discharged.

Mr Pearson said police were still investigating how the woman suffered the broken rib and bruising but they were not believed to have happened in the crash.

The elderly couple yesterday gave statements to police with help from a translator.

Mr Pearson said they were still traumatised by the ordeal and had been offered Victim Support help.

"They've just hunkered down in fear," he said.

"I think they've been shocked by the whole incident. I don't think they account for every minute of the day and we don't expect them to."

The couple's son, who speaks English, had also had difficulty dealing with the trauma, said Mr Pearson.

"He was very, very traumatised and stressed by the whole incident. His main concern throughout was for the elderly couple."

Deputy Commissioner Steve Long yesterday travelled to Auckland to meet police staff involved in the pursuit.

Mr Pearson said the trip was made to check on staff's welfare and offer them support.

He said 10 police officers would be interviewed by detectives as part of the investigation.

All staff involved had been given the opportunity to take time off but none had taken it.

A 34-year-old man appeared in the Auckland District Court yesterday on three charges of kidnapping, and more charges are expected.

Leonard Archer Hall, of Glendene, entered no plea and was remanded in custody to reappear today.

Hall, who has full facial tattoos, was handcuffed for his brief appearance in front of justice of the peace Keith Evans. As he left the court, Hall thrust his arms in the air and yelled "Sieg Heil ... Mongrel Mob" in the direction of the public gallery, where two women were sitting.

- additional reporting: Rebecca Walsh