Speeds of more than 150kmh were allegedly reached during a police pursuit of a vehicle between Waikouaiti and Waitati yesterday.
The driver of the suspected stolen car risked killing or injuring himself and others, Senior Sergeant Ben Butterfield said.
Police would not confirm the speed reached during the chase, but it is understood the Subaru wagon was driven at up to 160kmh during the about 20km pursuit.
It ended after the vehicle was driven over road spikes, puncturing the driver-side tyres.
The driver continued for a short distance before pulling over on State Highway 1 near Waitati and locking the car's doors.
Snr Sgt Butterfield said the driver, a 21-year-old Burnham man, triggered the chase when he sped away from a police officer in Waikouaiti about 10.15am.
''The vehicle was involved in a minor vehicle collision in Oamaru,'' he said.
''He fled Oamaru and was located in Waikouaiti, where the car was signalled to stop and fled from us.
''It has, at one point, stopped and rammed one of the patrol vehicles.''
The policewoman driving that patrol car was uninjured.
The police car had minor damage, he said.
Eight police vehicles were involved in the chase at its peak.
The 21-year-old driver was charged with reckless driving.
More charges were likely.
His 19-year-old passenger, a Christchurch man, was charged with unlawfully getting into a vehicle.
Snr Sgt Butterfield said he was frustrated ''the message doesn't appear to be getting through to people''.
''We are incredibly disappointed that people continue to think that fleeing from police is an option,'' he said.
''If they had simply stopped, they wouldn't have put their lives, our lives and members of the public's lives at risk.''
It was suspected the car had been stolen from Christchurch.
Snr Sgt Butterfield would not comment on the speed at which the vehicle was travelling other than to say: ''It was fast''.
''They were travelling well over the speed limit,'' he said.
The Subaru had panel damage to the front and side following the chase and the towbar was crushed into the rear of the vehicle from ramming the patrol car.
The car's front driver-side tyre was shredded and off the rim and its rear driver-side tyre was punctured.
The two men are due to appear in the Dunedin District Court today.
