A near miss in Otahuhu last night has Police Association President Chris Cahill calling for easier access to firearms for officers.

Police attempted to pull over a stolen vehicle last night when the driver ran up to the police car, threatening the officers with a cut-down rifle and twice pulling the trigger.

Although the man was tasered twice, he still was able to punch an officer in the face before trying to flee the scene , before being tasered for a third time.

Police Association President Chris Cahill says tasers really aren't an answer.

"We can't guarantee they will either deploy correctly or have an effect, and this is why our office is saying they need to have very ready access to firearms."