Police say a drunken man armed with a taser forced an armed offenders' squad callout in Southland after assaulting a woman in front of two children.
Senior Sergeant Maggie Windle, of Invercargill, said the squad was sent out about 7.45am on Friday after a woman reported being assaulted.
Two children, aged 10 and 12, were in the house at the time.
Police said the man, who was heavily intoxicated, had a taser stun gun but did not use it.
Ms Windle said he severely damaged the woman's vehicle before armed police arrested him.
A 37-year-old man was to appear in the Invercargill District Court on Friday charged with assault, intentional damage, unlawful possession of a restricted weapon, driving with excess breath alcohol and possession of cannabis.