Man talked down from Auckland bridge

More than four hours of drama ended on a downtown inner-city Auckland bridge today when police negotiators convinced a man not to jump.

The distressed man was on a bridge at the bottom of Hobson St and part of the area was cordoned off as police advised people to stay away.

Four police negotiators spoke to the man and talked him down after four and a half hours, said Inspector Lance Burdett from the police northern communications centre.

He said the man would be offered help after the incident, which was intense and draining for everyone.

He said the team of police negotiators deserved high praise for a successful outcome.

"It is the best outcome there could ever be.

"It is pretty draining. The negotiators did a fabulous job," he said.