Tasering man saved his life, police say

Police say firing a Taser stun gun at a mentally disturbed man who was threatening to harm himself saved his life.

Officers were called to a house at Kinloch, near Taupo, about 10pm on Saturday where they found a 27-year-old man armed with a knife and an air pistol.

He had a history of mental illness and was under the influence of alcohol, said Bay of Plenty police acting operations manager, Senior Sergeant Stuart Nightingale.

When challenged by police, the man put a knife to his throat and threatened to harm himself.

Police then fired the Taser and managed to arrest him without anyone getting injured.

Mr Nightingale said carrying a Taser to such an incident was standard operating procedure and had "proved its worth".

"If we hadn't had the ability to use Taser, there could have been a very different outcome."

The man was taken into police custody and was being assessed by mental health services, Mr Nightingale said.

- NZPA