Man who rammed old couple charged

Police have arrested a 51-year-old Rotoma man after an elderly couple's vehicle was shot at yesterday.

The elderly couple were driving along State Highway 33 to Rotorua on their way to a weekend market about 4.30am when a man driving a red ute appeared from a side road near Rotoma, 35km northeast of Rotorua, and allegedly tried to ram their late model Toyota Hilux ute, police said.

The driver chased the couple, trying to force them off the road and twice shooting at them with a shotgun at close range.

The pair were unhurt, but their vehicle was damaged, Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Loper said.

Later that morning, a man allegedly tailgated a woman in Hamurana, 15km north of Rotorua, overtook her at a blind corner and forced her to stop.

He then approached the female with an axe.

"When challenged by the female, the male apologised and left the scene," Mr Loper said.

A man will appear in Rotorua District Court tomorrow on firearms, driving, cannabis and explosives charges.

- NZPA