A man who police say escaped from the dock of the Tauranga District Court on Tuesday afternoon is due to appear back in court next week.

A number of police officers, including the police dog unit, were spotted by members of the public near Takitimu Drive and Elizabeth Street, yesterday.

Police confirmed that a "man who escaped the dock at Tauranga District Court yesterday afternoon subsequently entered the water at Tauranga Domain".

"Police staff responded, and the man made his way back to shore of his own accord about half an hour later and was arrested by police.

"The 40-year-old is due to reappear in Tauranga District Court on his active charges (family-harm related) on December 20.

"Any decisions on possible further charge/s have not yet been made."