A joyride on a forklift up Auckland's main street has landed a teenager in court.

LISTEN ABOVE: Auckland reporter Daniel Walker speaks to Mark Dye about the forklift joyride

Police say a 17-year-old took the vehicle from a construction yard just before one this morning, driving it onto Queen Street before officers took chase on foot.

A witness who was on Queen Street says it seemed like a normal scene at first.

The man said he "saw the bro pull out of the sidestreet on the forklift and thought he was a worker or something, like picking up some crates."

"Then the cops were chasing him and he sidestepped him on the forklift, yeah he was putting the boost on."

The teenager is appearing in court today charged with burglary, dangerous driving, and aggravated assault.