Police say they have found the driver of a stolen car which crashed following a police pursuit in Christchurch early today.

A 15-year-old boy, a passenger in the car, died in the crash in Linwood about 12.30am.

City Commander Superintendent Andy McGregor said police had spoken to a 25-year-old, who was found at a Christchurch address about 1pm today.

He said the vehicle, carrying four people, had earlier been reported stolen from Kaiapoi. A police dog handler went to stop the vehicle, which then drove off at speed through New Brighton and Linwood. The officer then pursued the vehicle with his lights and siren going.

"Despite the officer's attempts to get the offending vehicle to stop, it carried on at speed through a 50kmh area, and on the wrong side of the road, before the pursuit was abandoned after about three to four minutes," McGregor said.

He said the vehicle was estimated to have reached speeds of up to 90kmh in a 50kmh zone prior to travelling on the wrong side of the road, when the pursuit was abandoned.

The vehicle later crashed after failing to take a series of bends near sewerage ponds in Dyers Rd.

Shortly after the crash, the 15-year-old boy died.

McGregor said the two remaining passengers were helping police with their inquiries.

The IPCA was being advised of the incident, he said.

AUCKLAND CHASE CRASH

Meanwhile, two men are in hospital after a police chase ended in a crash in Otahuhu last night.

A police spokesman said officers attempted to stop a white Holden Commodore - carrying two occupants - from travelling at excessive speed, however, the car drove off.

A four minute chase ensued before the offending vehicle crashed into a power pole on Huia Rd.

Both men jumped from the car and attempted to flee with the driver being apprehended by police nearby.

The passenger, who was "wanted for arrest" for a domestic incident, was located by police with the assistance of the Eagle helicopter and dogs.

The driver did not hold a licence and had previously been banned from driving. He suffered a head injury and the passenger a broken arm.

Both men were taken to Middlemore hospital and were in a stable condition, under police guard, this morning.

Constable Bruce Wilson, of the Manukau Serious Crash Unit, said speed was "definitely" a factor in the crash.

"He tried to take the corner too fast. And his headlights were also off," he said.

Alcohol was found in the car and was also believed to have been a factor in the incident. A blood alcohol test was undertaken at the hospital but the results will not be known for two weeks.

- © Fairfax NZ News