Mansell Tehiritangi Penetana, 30, has an outstanding arrest warrant for failing to appear at Waitakere District Court on a serious assault charge.
Acting Detective Sergeant Kim Davison of the Rodney CIB said Penetana was arrested by police at an address in Parakai, Hellensville yesterday. He then turned on the arresting officer and attacked him before fleeing the scene.
It is possible Penetana is in the Whangarei area as he has family and associates there.
He is considered dangerous and should not be approached by members of the public and his appearance may be different from the photograph.
Penetana is Maori of solid build and 176cm tall.