KEY POINTS:
Police are on the hunt for a man who allegedly tried to stab an officer with a screwdriver following a high speed chase through the Waikato.
A warrant to arrest Te Awamutu man Owen James Heke, 26, has been issued.
Police say he is known to be violent and has previously used weapons against officers.
The hunt for Mr Heke began when the car he and two other men were travelling in was stopped by Highway Patrol officers last Thursday.
Before the pursuit ended, speeds of up to 160km/h were reached around the rural areas of Kihikihi and Te Kawa.
Police said when the chase ended Mr Heke lunged at one officer with a screwdriver, while another man threw a wrench at the police patrol car, shattering its windscreen.
Mr Heke then managed to escape on foot and elude police dog trackers.
The officer attacked by Mr Heke had defended himself and received only minor injuries, police said.
The policeman did not wish to be interviewed or identified.
