Police are continuing their hunt across the greater Auckland area today for an armed and dangerous man who was at the centre of Friday's massive manhunt in Northland.

Joshua Mason Kite, 33, sparked the large-scale police operation involving the Armed Offenders Squad, dog handlers and offers from four police districts.

It all started when he shot at police in Whangarei and stole their unmarked car before pulling over another vehicle and ordering the people to get out.

He ditched that car in Maungaturoto and was later sighted in Kaiwaka.

Kite has a history of offences including being found guilty of three major armed robberies in Auckland in 2007.

He has also escaped custody after convincing court staff he was another person, and was wanted last month for allegedly possessing methamphetamine for supply.