Police have fired a taser at an offender in Invercargill, in what officers believe is the first use of the stun gun in the South Island.
The taser was deployed when officers responded to a street fight after they were called to Lauder Crescent at about 1.50am on Sunday.
Three police officers and a dog handler were confronted in the driveway of a house by two men armed with a large wooden stick and baton.
Two officers drew their firearms and a third challenged one of the men before firing his taser.
Police say the 45-year-old was quickly disabled and suffered no lasting effects.
He was taken to the Invercargill police station, where he was examined by the police doctor.
The tasered man has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon.
The second man has been charged with aggravated burglary.
Police recovered knives, clubs, large rocks, bottles, and an axe from the street and front lawns. There was also blood in several areas on the street.
Police are confident that no firearms were used in the incident.
Tasers only became operational in the region last Tuesday.
