A police officer is in a critical but stable condition after being struck by a vehicle in Auckland on Wednesday night.
Police took a 37-year-old man into custody on Wednesday and in an update on Thursday morning said he had been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, failing to stop a motor vehicle, and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.
The man will appear in the Manukau District Court on Thursday.
Police said the injured officer is in a critical but stable condition in hospital.
The incident began about 7:20pm when police began tracking an allegedly stolen vehicle, a police spokesperson said.
About 30 minutes later, an officer deployed road spikes on the corner of Manukau Station Road and Osterley Way in an attempt to stop the car. It was at this time the officer was hit by the vehicle.
The car continued driving and a large police response, which involved the Eagle helicopter, was launched, police said. As a result, there was significant disruption to Auckland city traffic.
The vehicle in question was found a short time later under Grafton Road and the alleged driver was located and detained just after 9pm on Khyber Pass Road.
Counties Manukau district commander Superintendent Jill Rogers said the officer is in hospital with serious injuries.
"Our thoughts are with the officer and their family. Ensuring they are supported is our priority," she said.
"This was a traumatic incident for those involved and I want to acknowledge the support offered by the officer's colleagues and members of the public."
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing, police said.
Police continue to ask anyone with information on last night’s incident to contact us on 105, quoting file number 221109/7621.
Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Earlier on Wednesday, police only said they were responding to a "serious incident" in central Auckland and warned of "significant disruption" to traffic.
Newshub reporter Lauren Hendricksen, who was at the scene on Khyber Pass Rd, said at least 14 police cars were attending and officers appeared to be searching a building nearby.
Soon after, Hendricksen said a police photographer had moved inside the building of interest and most police were leaving the scene. Police were then seen leading a person away.
One Reddit user said earlier that after walking up Khyber Pass Rd, they saw a SUV drive up the road at about 100km/h with a smashed windscreen.
"7/8 cop cars behind trying to angle him off the main road but too dangerous."
Another, who said they lived in the Grafton area, said police asked them if they could check their house.
"They were looking for someone. They looked in a hurry. They left after they saw that everything was clear."
A video Newshub has obtained of the aftermath shows a person on the ground, being tended to by police officers outside Rainbows End in Manukau.
