Two men arrested after a police officer was shot last night in Hamilton will appear in court today, or on Monday

The experienced officer's in a stable condition, and having surgery at Waikato Hospital soon, after he was shot once in the shoulder by a passenger in a vehicle of interest.

Two men, aged 23 and 27, have been taken into custody.

Assistant Commissioner Richard Chambers says the 23-year-old was arrested this morning in Ngaruawahia and faces a range of charges.

He says they're likely to include aggravated wounding, firearms offences, and the unlawful taking of a police vehicle.