A man has been arrested after allegedly pointing a high-powered laser at the police Eagle helicopter.
Police say the helicopter was flying over Māngere shortly after midnight when it was repeatedly struck by the laser.
Officers on the ground tracked the source to a property on Kemble Close in Māngere, where a man was taken into custody.
Video taken by Newshub at the scene showed the man was wearing an ankle monitoring bracelet.
Senior Sergeant Garry Larsen, the Officer in Charge of the Air Support Unit, said the lasering of any aircraft could cause "serious harm".
"This behaviour is simply idiotic and is putting lives at risk," Snr Sgt Garry Larsen said.
Civil Aviation Authority Deputy Chief Executive David Harrison told Newshub he was aware of the laser strike.
"Direct eye exposure to a laser beam impacts the pilot's vision; this can completey disorient them or lead to incapacitation," Harrison said.
"In the worst-case scenario, it can have disastrous outcomes."
A 49-year-old man is due to appear in the Manukau District Court tomorrow.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in jail.
