Machete-wielding man backs down after taser threat

Police say the man immediately complied with their instructions upon seeing a taser. Photo / Christine Cornege

An agitated, machete-wielding man with a history of violence and mental illness has been subdued by a threat of taser use, say police.

Senior Sergeant Stu Nightingale, of Opotiki, east of Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty, said police confronted a local man at a rural address on Wednesday morning who had allegedly been threatening neighbours with a machete.

It was understood that the man had a history of mental illness and violence including violence towards police, Mr Nightingale said.

"The man was located in an agitated state. As he made an approach towards his house, where a machete lay on the front deck, the taser was presented and a warning given by an attending officer.

"Upon seeing the taser the man complied immediately with instructions and was taken into custody without the taser having been fired."

The man was taken into police custody and appeared in the Whakatane District Court yesterday on a number of charges, including possession of an offensive weapon, threatening to kill, cultivating cannabis and possession of cannabis. He has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance in the Whakatane District Court on May 19.

Mr Nightingale said the incident showed how effective tasers could be in diffusing situations just through warnings.