Pair face charges after police pursuits

File photo / NZ Herald

A man and a woman have been charged after they were chased by police all over Christchurch overnight.

The 35-year-old man and 22-year-old woman appeared in the district court today on charges over the protracted series of pursuits, police said.

Detective Senior Sergeant David Harvey said the Subaru Impreza failed to stop for police several times between 11.20pm last night and 1.50am today.

The series of pursuits across several parts of the city were abandoned by police a number of times because of dangerous driving and the potential risk to the public.

"At one stage the vehicle, which was believed to have been stolen in September, drove over two sets of spikes ... ", Mr Harvey said.

The pursuit ended when the vehicle hit a police car and a power pole.

The pair faced charges of failing to stop, while the man was also charged with reckless driving, assault with a weapon, resisting police, and disqualified driving.

Acting District Commander Inspector John Price said the incident was of serious concern.

"It continues to cause concern that some individuals persistently fail to comply with requests to stop. Their actions not only put themselves at risk, but also other road users, members of the public - and police staff.

"Police will continue to take a strong enforcement response to offending on the road. We already have too many people dying on our roads - we don't want this criminal behaviour adding to the trauma we already experience," Mr Price said in a statement.