A Nelson youth involved in a high-speed pursuit near Christchurch yesterday told police he would "smoke" them next time.

In the Christchurch District Court today, Kevin Denis McKinley, 18, admitted being involved in a car chase that ended when he was stopped by road spikes in Belfast.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Kathy Pomfrett told the court: "He informed the officer that the police are never going to stop him and next time he would smoke the police in a pursuit-type situation."

Judge Brooke Gibson said McKinley's comment may have been "youthful bravado".

The unemployed teenager today admitted five charges, which included a petrol drive-off and driving while disqualified.

Police say McKinley was stopped in Culverden and the car was impounded, but after he was processed and released on bail, he hitch-hiked back to the car with his companion.

He managed to start the car and drive away before it could be towed.

There was then a 14-minute high-speed pursuit near Christchurch.

That led to another charge of disqualified driving, failing to stop for the police and reckless driving on State Highway 1.

McKinley was refused bail. He was remanded in custody to Nelson, where he is due for sentence on three other charges next month.

A pre-sentence report and a report on his unpaid fines have already been ordered.

He is due to appear in the Nelson District Court on October 29 before his sentencing on November 19.

- © Fairfax NZ News