UPDATED: 12.35pm The Police Association says a fatal pursuit in Porirua highlights the need for drivers to comply with police, and pull over if they're signalled to.

A routine check on Saturday night ended in tragedy when the driver, 42, fled and crashed through a fence on Kenepuru Drive.

The 21-year-old female passenger from the Wellington region was killed.

The driver is in hospital with serious injuries.

MORE: One dead following police car chase in Porirua

Police say they'd been pursuing the car for less than two minutes after the driver failed to stop for a routine check.

Police Association vice president Craig Ticklepenny said when someone fails to stop it's dangerous for everyone involved and members of the public nearby.

"Stop and comply with the police officer involved. Comply with the instructions and what they're trying to do. It might be quite a small thing."

Mr Ticklepenny said he'd like to express his sympathies to the family of the person who died, but it's also extremely upsetting for the officers involved.

"It's not actually the Police officer's fault. They're just young men and women out there trying to keep the public safe on the road and in the community. It's actually poor decision making by the person driving the fleeing vehicles."

The driver was due to appear in court this afternoon, but his condition has changed and he will not be released from hospital today. 

He is to face one charge of failing to stop, alongside other unrelated charges.