Man arrested after confronting police with machete

File Photo / Greg Bowker

Armed police and police dogs were called to a house in Opotiki this morning after local police were allegedly threatened by a man holding a machete.

Police had been called to the house in the small Bay of Plenty township when the man allegedly threatened them with a machete, a police statement said.

The Armed Offenders Squad was called from Tauranga and a 37 year-old man has been arrested.

Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Standen said the 37 year-old will face charges including assault with a weapon when he appears in the Whakatane District Court tomorrow.

"The safety of residents in the immediate area was at no time compromised, with police being the only people approached by the offender," Mr Standen said.