A man has been critically injured in a stabbing in Christchurch.

Around seven police vehicles and two fire trucks are at Picton Avenue, in the suburb of Riccarton - where the road has been cordoned off between Peverel and Burdale streets.

Detective Senior Sergeant Leairne Dow said a man was believed to have been stabbed at a property on Picton Ave in Riccarton about 1pm this afternoon.

Newstalk ZB's Sam Olley attended the scene.

"Residents tell me an injured person was taken out on a stretcher, put into an ambulance and taken away, and shortly afterwards a woman was taken away by police."

St John arrived on the scene just before 1.30pm, and transported one patient with critical injuries to Christchurch Hospital.

Neighbours say they've been told the incident was not fatal.

One local resident said police made frequent visits to the area in the last week.

Gurjent Sing saw the scene unfold. 

"Last couple of day,s we've seen lots of police around here. I feel like] the area was on the watch."