Police were called to the Stadium Sports Bar in St Andrew St, Dunedin, shortly after 7am following reports bar employees at an after-work drinks function allegedly had been threatened by a person brandishing a knife.
A person with facial injuries as a result of a fight was taken to Dunedin Hospital, and a search for the alleged offender, a 27-year-old Dunedin man known to police, was launched.
Senior Sergeant Kelvin Lloyd said a passing patrol spotted the man in his Mitsubishi car at East Taieri and, after he refused to get out of his vehicle, a pursuit began at 9.40am.
The man drove through Mosgiel several times while being pursued by police.
The car's right front tyre came off in a hail of sparks when the vehicle went over road spikes in Riccarton Rd.
The man continued to drive until the wheel rim collapsed and the car came to a halt at the Taieri side of Three Mile Hill just after 10am.
The man refused to get out of the vehicle, despite a Taser being presented, and he was detained through the use of pepper spray and a police dog, Snr Sgt Lloyd said.
A blunt instrument was found in the vehicle.
The man is facing various charges including failing to stop, dangerous driving, driving with excess breath alcohol, possessing an offensive weapon and resisting arrest, and was likely to appear in the Dunedin District Court next week.
Snr Sgt Lloyd said police would investigate the bar's responsibility under the Sale of Liquor Act.
