He fined Fowler $500 with $130 court costs and disqualified him from driving for six months.
The maximum fine for the charge is $1000.
A police summary of facts said Fowler was driving on a state highway near Taradale, Napier at 8.05pm on January 23, 2023.
The highway, or the Hawke’s Bay Expressway, is a main arterial route between Napier and Hastings. Traffic that evening was moderate.
As Fowler left a roundabout, he rapidly accelerated in the silver 2005 VW Golf hatchback, reaching a speed of 188km/h in a 100km/h zone.
“As the defendant approached the Tūtaekurī River bridge, his speed was observed by a police officer performing road policing duties,” the statement said.
Fowler slowed “drastically” as he approached the patrol unit and was stopped by the officer.
“In explanation, the defendant stated he was just testing it out,” the statement said.
Ric Stevens spent many years working for the former New Zealand Press Association news agency, including as a political reporter at Parliament, before holding senior positions at various daily newspapers. He joined NZME’s Open Justice team in 2022 and is based in Hawke’s Bay.