Man charged over gunpoint abduction

A man is due to appear in court today after allegedly abducting a woman at gunpoint near Tauranga.

The 42-year-old Opotiki man faces a number of charges, including kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms, after the incident yesterday.

He was arrested after police received a report at 11am that a man armed with two guns had threatened and forced a 23-year-old woman into a car at Te Puna. The armed offenders squad was called and the suspect was arrested at midday.

Detective Sergeant Paul Basham said the information leading to the arrest came from the woman, who managed to escape from the car.