A man escaped the dock at Tauranga District Court before jumping into the water at Tauranga Domain, police allege.
A police spokesman said the man made his way back to the shore about half an hour later and was arrested.
The incident happened on Tuesday afternoon.
The 40-year-old was due to reappear in court on his family harm-related charges on December 20.
The spokesman said no decisions on any further charges had been made.
