Wife pushes knife-wielding Christchurch pub robber who was attacking husband

A bar patron who was attacked by a knife-wielding robber at a Christchurch pub was saved by his wife who heard the scuffle from the pokies room.

The robber, wearing a hoodie and balaclava, burst into the Celtic Arms Inn on Selwyn St, Spreydon shortly after 11pm on Saturday night.

Inn manager Tracy Libline said the masked man went directly for the male patron, who was the only man in the bar at the time.

Libline said there just three "locals" and two staff members in the pub. The robber and the man - who is recovering from a hip operation - scuffled, sending the patron to the ground.

The patron's wife heard the attack from the pokie room, came in and pushed the robber from behind.

"She didn't realise he had a knife," Libline said.

The offender then pushed the husband and wife to the ground while demanding money from the till.

"He was telling, 'Hand me over the f***ing money'," Libline said.

A staff member threw approximately $900 at the armed robber who then fled towards Brougham St.

Libline said the couple were "scared... shaken but are okay".

Staff were still working and coping well, she said.

"We've not had anything like this for a good 10 years," Libline said.

"Unfortunately it's just so common in this city lately."

Anyone with information about this incident should contact Christchurch Police on 03 363 7400 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.