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Police say they have arrested the man they were seeking after an officer was stabbed four times in the back and shoulder last night.
Marcus Jason Whakataka, 31, allegedly ran off after stabbing the officer, who had been called to an Enderley home with two other police officers.
A police spokesman said: "A 31-year-old male was arrested at 9am this morning after a man hunt which lasted throughout the night.
"The armed offenders squad surrounded a house in Melville and the alleged offender was arrested without incident."
The arrested man is assisting police with their inquiries and will appear in the Hamilton District Court later today.
The stabbed officer was named as acting sergeant Andrew Grice.
His condition is stable and improving in Waikato Hospital.
Waikato Police district commander Superintendent Kelvin Powell last night said Whakataka had mental health issues and was considered dangerous.
"Under no circumstances should he be approached. Anyone who knows of his whereabouts should contact police immediately," Mr Powell said at the time.
Whakataka is of medium build, with short black hair and was wearing a white hoodie with a Holden emblem on the front, dark trousers and blue and white shoes.
The 34-year-old officer, who was not wearing a stab-resistant vest at the time of the attack, underwent surgery in Waikato Hospital for a punctured lung but his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
He was one of three who went to a house in response to a reported breach of a protection order about 6.30pm.
As they tried to make an arrest, the officer was stabbed in his shoulder and back.
Mr Powell said the stabbed officer was expected make a full recovery.
"At the moment our thoughts are with the injured officer and his family and my staff are fully focused on apprehending this man."
He said the name of the injured officer would not be released at this stage.
Ron Mark, NZ First's spokesman on police, again called for body armour to be available to all police officers following the attack.
"Back in May 2005 I asked then Police Minister George Hawkins what price he placed on a police officer's life, and now, exactly two years later, I am asking the question again.
"It is up to police to ensure that every officer has been issued stab resistant body armour, and that every officer wears that armour."
- with NZPA
