A man who drove like a "complete idiot" was arrested after a five-hour manhunt during which he tried to ram a police car, and hurled a pie out his window, police say.
During the manhunt residents in a rural Northland road where the car was abandoned, were told to lock up and stay inside.
Inspector Al Symonds said the search began after a pursuit about 8.30am yesterdayafter a man, who was speeding failed to pull over for an officer.
Mr Symonds said while driving the man threw a pie out the window, led police down State Highway 14 towards Dargaville and at one stage pretended to pull over and then tried to reverse into an officer's car several times.
"He was driving like a complete idiot. He was driving at excessive speeds and putting the public in significant danger," said Mr Symonds.