In October 2016 a 20‑year‑old driver in a blue Subaru led police on a nearly 16‑hour pursuit across New Zealand's South Island, covering about 720 km from Stoke to Waikouaiti. Witnesses estimated speeds of 180–200 km/h through towns with 50 km/h limits, prompting officers to abandon several stop attempts for safety reasons. The driver was arrested after abandoning the car and fleeing on foot; he faced charges of evading police and driving without lawful permission. Remarkably, there were no reported injuries.
Nearly 16‑Hour High‑Speed Chase Across New Zealand’s South Island — How It Unfolded
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In October 2016, police across New Zealand's South Island were involved in one of the country's longest and most dramatic vehicle pursuits. What began shortly after 1 a.m. in the Stoke suburb of Nelson ended nearly 16 hours later outside Dunedin, after a 20‑year‑old driver in a blue Subaru led officers across roughly 720 kilometres of highways, regional roads and small‑town streets.
The Pursuit
The motorist set off what became a day‑long cat‑and‑mouse chase, passing through major centres including Christchurch and Dunedin and repeatedly using rural and urban roads. Witnesses in towns such as Palmerston estimated the car reached 180–200 km/h in areas where the limit was 50 km/h. Observers likened the sequence of events to a cinematic car chase because of the speeds and the driver's apparent determination to avoid capture.
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Police Response
Officers made several early attempts to stop the vehicle — at least three interventions were reported — but each was abandoned when the driver's behaviour was judged too dangerous for officers or the public. Reported actions during the pursuit included overtaking on double yellow lines and high‑speed passage through populated areas. Police statements acknowledged the difficult balance between bringing the vehicle to a safe stop and minimising risk to bystanders.
“Police followed the vehicle for a short time, but the motorist's driving was deemed too dangerous for the matter to continue,” an official comment said.
End Of The Chase And Aftermath
The pursuit concluded near Waikouaiti, just outside Dunedin, when the driver abandoned the Subaru close to Matanaka Drive and attempted to flee on foot. A police dog unit tracked and apprehended him at the scene. He was later charged with driving without lawful permission and evading police.
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Locals reported a heavy police presence in the area after the arrest. Remarkably, despite the prolonged, high‑speed nature of the pursuit and its passage through multiple towns, there were no reported injuries. The incident attracted wide media attention across New Zealand and prompted public discussion about pursuit tactics and road safety.
Why It Mattered
Beyond its extraordinary length and distance, the chase highlighted tensions inherent in policing pursuits: the need to intercept dangerous drivers while avoiding further harm to the public. The event remains one of the most notable New Zealand police pursuits in recent years because of its scale, duration and the fortunate absence of injuries.
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