Southern District Command Centre deployment co-ordinator Senior Sergeant Darryl Lennane said initial reports were the man was alone in the house in Ballantyne St and had a knife.
Police were called to the house about 4.30pm and tried to talk to the man from outside. When the man began smashing windows and told police to go away with their guns and bullets, the three policemen retreated from the property and armed police with a police dog arrived soon after.
The street was blocked off with road spikes, which were lifted when an ambulance arrived about 6.30pm.
Police said yesterday the man ''gave himself up'' about 6.35pm.
A 46-year-old Dunedin man would appear in the Dunedin District Court tomorrow, charged with threatening behaviour.
He did not require treatment at Dunedin Hospital, a St John ambulance spokeswoman confirmed.
