A man has died in a car crash after running a checkpoint and trying to flee from the police.
Officers say the driver did not stop at the routine check stop at Taipa in Northland at 3.30am on Sunday.
They say he immediately sped away and his car was found crashed into a power pole a short distance away.
The man died at the scene.
A police investigation is underway and the Independent Police Conduct Authority has been notified.
Police say the onus of responsibility rests with offending drivers.
They say drivers who flee from the police put themselves and innocent road users at immense risk.
During their search for the vehicle, the police car became tangled in the downed power lines at the crash site, and the officers had to wait inside for power to be shut off.
Police say while their officers followed the vehicle, they were not engaged in a pursuit.
