Man in serious condition after being shot by police

A man has been flown to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition after being shot by Police in an incident in Waihi this afternoon.

Acting Eastern Waikato Area commander, Inspector John Kelly, said events developed following a burglary at a Ngongotaha , outside Rotorua, shortly after 2pm.

A van has been followed by Police via the Tauranga Direct Rd, through Tauranga and towards Katikati via SH2.

A pursuit has been initiated on SH2 which included Dog Handlers from Tauranga and Rotorua, an incident car from Greerton and two cars carrying Tauranga Armed Offender Squad members.

"Near the Fort Eliza restaurant one of the AOS cars has spun out in atrocious conditions, no other vehicles were involved and no injuries were suffered," said Mr Kelly.

"Those officers then transferred into another vehicle and rejoined the pursuit."

Around this time the offender, sitting in the front passenger seat of the van, has began brandishing a firearm at officers.

"West of Waihi the offender has then fired at Police with a round impacting in the bonnet of the following Greerton incident car said Mr Kelly.

The chase has continued on into Waihi with road diversions set up and the offenders car being spiked as it turned off SH2 on to Gilmore Rd.

Despite 2 flat tyres the offenders refuse to stop and two more shots are fired at Police before the van is brought to a stop in a controlled vehicle stop.

"The van has been guided on to a grass verge and then collided head on with a tree," said Mr Kelly.

"The offender has exited the van and then pointed his weapon at the officers and one round was fired hitting the victim in the torso."

First aid was administered by Police officers and an ambulance called.

The offender was driven from Waihi to Paeroa to meet an air ambulance helicopter.