Police used a taser to subdue a man allegedly threatening an officer with a knife in central Wellington in the early hours of Sunday morning.
A man was reported to be threatening a person and slashing tyres.
A senior sergeant tried to subdue him using pepper spray but the man allegedly advanced on him holding two knives above his head.
The officer radioed for help and officers from a patrol car used a taser.
The head of Wellington City CIB Detective Inspector Paul Basham is praising the officers' actions.
He says it was a text book piece of policing.
A 37-year-old man will appear in the Wellington District Court on Monday.