Man takes woman and child hostage on West Coast

A man took two people hostage on the West Coast of the South Island early yesterday morning, then called police and asked them to shoot him.

The 26-year-old had a warrant out for his arrest for breaching his home detention, when he called police at 2.40am and said he had taken a woman and child hostage in Runanga, 8km north east of Greymouth, Sergeant David Cross of Greymouth police said.

The man said he had a loaded high power rifle, was threatening to shoot his hostages and wanted police to shot him.

The Armed Offenders Squad were deployed and after a tense two hour stand-off he surrendered to police, Mr Cross said.

No one was injured. Police recovered an imitation firearm.

The man has been charged with kidnapping, threatening to kill, unlawful possession of an imitation firearm and wilful damage.

He was remanded in custody when he appeared in Greymouth District Court yesterday morning and will reappear in Christchurch District Court on Monday.

- NZPA