Police swarmed Elizabeth park and inspected a car that had crashed into a fence near a playground.
A police spokeswoman said officers were called to reports of a car swerving in the area of John St in Heidelberg.
The car failed to stop when indicated by police, but was blocked by a patrol car.
About 10 officers were at the park at 10.30am.
The car crashed through a fence, with its hood up, the spokeswoman said. It was impounded and the driver was arrested for failing to stop.
The man will appear in court on driving charges.
In a separate incident, a scrub fire was being treated as suspicious by Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
A spokesman said firefighters were called to the fire in Ferry Rd at 11.42am.
The fire measured 100sq m and was in the scrub along the sand dunes near the beach.
Three appliances from Invercargill, Kingswell and Wallacetown attended.
The fire was contained and crews left just after 1pm, he said.
