UPDATED 3.35PM: A man who's on the run from police after firing at officers in Northland has had run-ins with the system before.

A 2007 Court of Appeal case found Joshua Mason Kite was responsible for planning and executing three major armed robberies in Auckland, back in 2006.

He was convicted of stealing more than $200,000 from security guards, who were delivering money to banks and refilling ATMs.

Kite was sentenced to almost 12 years in prison, but that was reduced on appeal to less than seven years.

A massive manhunt has been underway for the 33 year old since police were fired at in Whangarei and their unmarked car was stolen.

Police say he is armed and dangerous and should not be approached.

He has three warrants to arrest for offences that include possession of methamphetamine for supply.

Kite is described as Maori, 180 centimetres (5'11), and of medium build.​

He also escaped from the Manukau District Court in 2007.

At the time he was on remand at Auckland Central Remand Prison facing three counts of aggravated robbery involving a firearm, and possession of a firearm.