Photo: NZMEA police officer has been hit by a car during a pursuit in the Bay of Plenty. Police shut down the main highway to track the offender and warned drivers not to pick up hitch-hikers in the area. Earlier, police blocked State Highway 30 at the Tauranga turn-off. A Te Rahu Rd resident also saw police cars driving at speed down Station Rd soon after 9am. Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander Kevin Taylor said the officer was hit at the intersection of SH30 and Kope Drain Rd in Awakeri.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 19, 2017 20:48 UTC