Police have been cleared of wrongdoing when using a taser and baton to arrest a man in Palmerston North

In January last year, the man was spotted driving without a seatbelt.

Two officers pulled him over, and discovered he was wanted for arrest for breach of bail.

The man ran, and in a struggle punches were thrown, the man eye gouged one cop - then was tasered four times and hit in the leg with a baton.

After back-up arrived, he was arrested.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority says on the face of it, the use of force appears excessive.

But it says given the level of resistance and the risk the man posed, the officer's actions were justified.