A man at the centre of a police chase that ended on Auckland's harbour bridge has appeared in court.
Jess Samau, 30, was charged in Auckland District Court with unlawfully possessing a weapon, resisting police, committing a dangerous act with intent to injure, assaulting police, reckless driving and failing to stop.
The pursuit started last night after police responded to reports of shots being fired in a side street off Karangahape Road at 8.45pm.
Police said a man drove off, ramming a police car in the process, and headed for the Harbour Bridge.
The chase ended on the bridge when the car crashed.
The incident closed the bridge for about 20 minutes.
A motorist on the bridge who watched events unfold said it was amazing no-one was hurt.
Gareth Morgan, who lives on the North Shore, was on his way back from Hamilton when he saw the car crash near its top.
"It clipped a car, spun out of control over four lanes, narrowly missing the centre concrete barrier without hitting anyone - we don't know how," he said.
"Then it came to a rest just before the top of the bridge."
Just a short distance away in their car, Mr Morgan and his wife were worried about what the man might do next.
"When we came to a stop he was trying to run up the gantry right beside us. He got pretty close - if he'd wanted to he could have come at our car," said Mr Morgan.
Mr Samau was remanded in custody until 9 February.