A teenager wanted for an alleged crime wave across Auckland has been arrested.

Zion Tuoro is in police custody and is expected to appear in the Manukau District Court this morning.

The Herald reported this morning that police were hunting the 17-year-old after they linked him to a number of car thefts in the Orewa area.

He had also allegedly breached bail and failed to appear in court on a number of other charges.

Police have now confirmed Tuoro was arrested in the early hours of this morning in South Auckland.

Inspector Bruce O'Brien told the Herald police were called by a member of the public at 1.30am after a male was seen acting suspiciously and looking into vehicles on a residential street in Takanini.

Police got to the scene minutes later and spotted a male in the street next to a vehicle that had been reported stolen.

O'Brien said the male ran off and police attempted to stop the stolen car, which sped off.

It will be alleged in court that Tuoro was the driver. 

"A pursuit was initiated and this continued around Takanini, however when it began driving the wrong way on the motorway police abandoned the pursuit and the Eagle helicopter monitored the vehicle," O'Brien said.

"The driver of this vehicle has then stopped and allegedly attempted to steal another vehicle in Karaka while Eagle was overhead watching.

"He has carried on in his original stolen vehicle."

The car's tyres were "spiked in Waiuku, but the driver has carried on driving with deflated tires and then on its rims until the vehicle became immobile in Pukekohe," O'Brien said.

"The driver has then attempted to flee on foot running through properties."

Tuoro was chased by police and arrested soon after.

He was taken to the Papakura police station, where he allegedly damaged a number of windows.

"The 17-year-old driver who was already wanted by police on numerous offences now faces a number of additional charges including unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, attempted unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, failing to stop for police and wilful damage," O'Brien told the Herald.

He said two females, aged 14 and 15 who were in the stolen vehicle, will be referred to Youth Aid.

"Police would like to thank our community who provided invaluable assistance in helping us catch this alleged offender," he said.

"We would also like to acknowledge the police staff across Tamaki Makaurau who have been working incredibly hard to prevent further victims being created."