Man in court for driving through flood roadblock

A man is to appear in court in Rotorua after a vehicle drove at speed through a roadblock in flood-stricken Matata early today.

Senior Sergeant Anna Jackson of Rotorua said in a statement a vehicle drove at speed through a Civil Defence roadblock on State Highway 2 at Matata, 23km northwest of Whakatane, at 6.30am today.

Staff at the roadblock had to jump clear as the driver ignored signals to stop and sped past.

Ms Jackson said police gave chase but abandoned the pursuit because of speed and the road conditions. Rotorua police picked up the vehicle an hour later and followed it into Rotorua where it was stopped in Whakaue St after crashing into a police car.

Ms Jackson said a man carrying a patu (weapon) got out and ran off. Police chased him and sprayed him with pepper but the man continued to fight, goading the police with the patu.

A man, 31, from Opotiki would appear in Rotorua District Court today charged with offences under the Civil Defence Act, failing to stop, dangerous driving, possession of an offensive weapon, aggravated assault and resisting arrest.

- NZPA