New Zealand police have released footage of the police air support unit Eagle helping catch the driver allegedly involved in the theft of stolen motorbike in Papakura.

The video, posted online, has earned praise from Christchurch residents calling on police to allow Eagle to return to Christchurch.

Police say at around 4:00am on Sunday morning the Police Air Support Unit ‘Eagle’ was called to assist ground staff who had sighted an alleged stolen motorcycle in Red Hill.

The job resulted with two suspects being taken into custody, both of whom will now appear before the court.