An armed man is on the run after swapping vehicles with police during a standoff in Ohakune on Saturday night.

Officers stopped a vehicle to administer a breath test on the driver at 10:20pm on Wye Street. As they were talking to the driver, a man in the back seat got out and pointed a gun at them.

He and a female passenger then got into a patrol car and fled - but soon crashed into a gatepost, continuing their escape on foot.

Police jumped into the vehicle they'd pulled over and gave chase, but failed to locate them. The patrol car sustained minor damage, but nothing was taken.

The suspect is believed to be 33-year-old Marton man Tama Michael Rawhiti, and police say he should not be approached if seen.