Northland gunman Joshua Kite awaits court appearance

  • 02/09/2016
Joshua Mason Kite (Supplied)
Joshua Mason Kite (Supplied)

Joshua Mason Kite, who shot at police in Whangarei last week before going into hiding, will face eight charges when he appears at Manukau District Court on Friday.

The 33-year-old will face three counts of using a firearm against police, two of kidnapping, one of impersonating a police officer and two of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.

Police say further charges are expected to be brought against Kite, who will also appear on a parole recall warrant and a warrant for his arrest over another offence.

After being on the run for almost a week following his alleged involvement in a shootout with police, Kite was arrested on Thursday.

Although police say he was apprehended "without incident", four gunshots were reported by a witness in the Auckland suburb of Manurewa where was holed up.

Police say the bangs were "part of the tactical operation" and that no firearms were used in the arrest, which was made after search warrants were executed on Thursday afternoon.

There was an ambulance and large police presence in the area, which was cordoned off.

Kite was taken into custody and is now at Manukau Police Station to be formally interviewed.

It has not yet been decided what charges he will face after he allegedly shot at police in Whangarei on Friday morning while in violation of his parole.

Kite's former partner Chey Thomassen issued a heartfelt plea for him to turn himself in on Thursday morning, saying their teen daughter was "crushed" over his disappearance.

Upon news of his arrest, she posted a message on Facebook thanking Kite, saying she loves him and all will be OK.

Police had said Kite may have used "extensive criminal links across the North Island" to assist him in avoiding capture.

A 25-year-old woman was charged over the weekend after allegedly helping Kite.

Before his capture, Kite was described as being dangerous and in possession of a "a high-powered rifle".

Detective Inspector Gary Lendrum says police would like to extend their thanks to members of the public who helped in the investigation.

Newshub.