A pursuit near Twizel was called off when speeds of about 150kmh were reached, but the driver was outsmarted by quick communication between three police patrols.
Returning from Twizel on Wednesday, just after midday, Constable Nayland Smith, of Omarama, checked a car travelling at 134kmh on the Twizel-Omarama Rd.
A police spokeswoman said Const Smith turned his patrol car around and started chasing the Subaru Legacy station wagon with two male occupants, the driver believed to be aged 19.
Const Smith pulled out of the pursuit once speeds reached between 140kmh and 150kmh.
"He was 500m behind it and thought their speed would have been 170kmh [at worst]."
The pursuit lasted "a matter of seconds", the spokeswoman said.
Both Twizel patrol units were alerted.
The spokeswoman said the pursued driver turned into Twizel township when he saw police patrols in the distance.
With all exits from Twizel closed off, the driver drove to the end of Ohau Canal Rd and stopped.
The driver will appear in the Oamaru District Court on October 5, to face charges of failing to stop and driving at a dangerous speed.
