Tasers have been discharged almost a dozen times in the South, including the latest incident where a 46-year-old man was admitted to hospital this week.
Dunedin police were called to a High St address at 6.40pm on Monday following reports a man was threatening self-harm with a knife, Acting Senior Sergeant Chris George said.
The man had barricaded himself in a room, and when it became apparent he intended to harm himself, police entered the room and a taser was used.
The man was given first aid by police officers and St John ambulance staff. He remains in Dunedin Hospital, in the care of Psychiatric Services.
The incident would be reviewed, as per police policy, Acting Snr Sgt George said.
Operations manager Inspector Dave Miller said a taser ''show'' - when the device was presented - occurred 73 times between March 22, 2010 and June 30, 2012 in the Southern district.
A taser was discharged - with probes and/or in stun mode - 11 times in the district, compared with 212 events nationwide.