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A man has been flown to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition after being shot during a police chase in the Bay of Plenty this afternoon.
Police said shots were fired at the man after he pointed a gun at police officers. They said he had earlier fired at the police vehicles pursuing him and hit one on the bonnet.
Police Inspector John Kelly said police began following a van after a burglary in Ngongotaha - near Rotorua - shortly after 2pm today.
He said the van drove through Tauranga towards Katikati via State Highway Two pursued by cars carrying Armed Offenders Squad members and dog handlers.
"Near the Fort Eliza restaurant one of the AOS cars has spun out in atrocious conditions, no other vehicles were involved and no injuries were suffered," said Mr Kelly.
He said the alleged offender then fired at police and had hit a car bonnet.
The chase continued into Waihi - despite the van having two flat tyres - and the man fired twice more at police.
A witness said a man with a gun was hanging out a window of a van as it was being chased through the town.
Mr Kelly said the van was eventually guided on to a grass verge where it collided head on with a tree.
"The offender has exited the van and then pointed his weapon at the officers and one round was fired hitting the victim in the torso," he said.
Police administered first aid at the scene before the man was driven from Waihi to Paeroa to meet and air ambulance.
A St John Ambulance spokesperson said the man was flown to Waikato Hospital with a chest wound.
- NZ HERALD STAFF, NEWSTALK ZB, NZPA
