A dramatic manhunt unfolded across several Dunedin suburbs on Thursday evening, culminating in the arrest of a 46-year-old man after a police officer discharged a firearm during a tense confrontation.
The incident began when police located the man, described as a “high-risk offender” wanted in connection with a series of recent offences in the Otago Coastal Area, at a petrol station on Kaikorai Valley Road. When officers attempted to take him into custody, the situation escalated rapidly.
According to a police statement, the man drove his vehicle towards the patrol car and the arresting officers in an apparent attempt to evade capture. In response to the threat, an officer fired a single shot. No-one was injured in the exchange.
The man then fled the scene in his vehicle, sparking a major police response that saw cordons established around Three Mile Hill and Brockville as the pursuit continued. At one point, a local worker in Wakari reported seeing approximately nine police vehicles and several ambulances in the area, highlighting the scale of the operation.
From suburban streets to native bush
Officers successfully deployed road spikes to disable the fleeing vehicle, which was later located abandoned in the residential suburb of Brockville. The man then fled on foot into the dense native bush of the nearby Fraser's Gully, a popular recreation area.
A police dog team was deployed into the gully to track the offender. He was apprehended by the canine unit a short time later, bringing the tense chase to a close. The arrest took place just before 7.30pm.
Southern District Commander Superintendent Jason Guthrie praised the actions of the officers involved in safely resolving a volatile situation.
This was a very dynamic incident involving an offender who was highly motivated to avoid arrest and Police staff are commended for their efforts in safely resolving this incident.
Superintendent Guthrie confirmed that there was no ongoing risk to public safety and that the extensive cordons put in place during the manhunt would be lifted. The incident adds to a string of recent high-profile crimes in the city, including a fatal crash at the Dunedin speedway and separate charges being laid after three men were charged over a gym shooting.
Independent investigation to follow
As is standard procedure whenever a police firearm is discharged, a critical incident investigation has been launched. The matter will also be automatically referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) for external oversight.
The IPCA is an independent body that investigates complaints against the police and incidents involving death or serious harm. Its involvement ensures that the use of force, particularly firearms, is scrutinised to maintain public confidence in the police. The authority's process involves a thorough examination of the circumstances to determine if the officer's actions were justified and in accordance with police policy and the law.
This formal review process is a critical component of police accountability in New Zealand, ensuring transparency in high-stakes operational decisions. It will run parallel to the criminal investigation into the man's alleged offences.
Anxious search ends in relief for Wakari family
The manhunt was not the only emergency to grip the suburb of Wakari on Thursday. Earlier in the day, a separate search was launched for two young boys from Wakari Primary School who had been reported missing.
The school raised the alarm on social media in the afternoon, posting photos of the 7 and 8-year-old boys and asking the community for help. A subsequent post provided descriptions of their clothing and hair colour, sparking an urgent community-led search effort.
The news created considerable anxiety in the community, coming just hours before the suburb became the focal point of a major police operation. For a period on Thursday, residents were confronted with the twin emergencies of a manhunt for a dangerous offender and the search for two missing children.
Fortunately, the search for the children had a happy ending. Just before 5pm, the school posted an update confirming the boys had been found safe. The school gave “thanks to all that have searched,” praising what it called “A great community effort!” The successful search highlighted the strength of the local community, which is also known for its popular cafes and local businesses like those featured in The ultimate guide to Dunedin's best cafes.
The man arrested in Fraser's Gully is expected to appear in court to face multiple charges. The dual incidents served as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by emergency services and the resilience of the Dunedin community in times of crisis.
