Five people have been arrested after trying to flee Christchurch police in a stolen vehicle.

Police say the vehicle was stopped with road spikes near the Lyttelton tunnel around midnight.

The vehicle was pursued for around 45 minutes from Christchurch to Motukarara, through to Lyttelton and back into Christchurch, before being stopped.

The driver of the vehicle was apprehended by a Police dog and has been charged with a number of offences, including dangerous driving and failing to stop.

Three other persons have been charged with unlawfully getting into the vehicle, while a fifth has been referred to Youth Aid.