Senior Constable Steve Griffiths, of Milton, said he was speaking to members of a rural drink-driving patrol unit about 1.30am when they noticed an SUV towing a trailer carrying a quadbike.
The SUV was turning on to State Highway 1 from a side road just south of Milton.
The situation appeared suspicious, so they pulled over the driver.
After questioning the 35-year-old man, Snr Const Griffiths leaned into the SUV to remove the keys, but before he could do so, the driver drove off.
A 32-minute pursuit from Clarksville to Mitchells Flat Rd, near Waitahuna, ensued, during which the vehicles reached speeds of 120kmh.
As the SUV passed through the Manuka Gorge it slowed, with the driver at one stage stopping, then reversing into the front of the pursuing police vehicle, Snr Const Griffiths said.
The SUV driver took off again, but rammed the following police vehicle another four times before it finally apparently broke down on Mitchells Flat Rd.
Police pepper-sprayed the driver, who allegedly resisted arrest, before arresting him.
Police allege the driver stole the quadbike from the Otago Corrections Facility's prison farm at Milburn.
Snr Const Griffiths said neither he, nor the driver, were injured during the incident and no other vehicles or people were put at risk during the pursuit.
The man will appear in the Dunedin District Court this morning on 12 charges, including failing to stop, assaulting police, burglary, assault with a weapon, resisting police, reckless driving and theft.
