Police are hunting a Christchurch man with a weapon in the suburb of Spreydon.

Senior Sergeant Paul Robertson says they came across the man during a routine patrol on Brougham Street just before 10am this morning.

Roebrtson says the man appears to be armed but it's not a firearm.

The man in question is believed to be on the run, and he is known to police.

The police are following positive lines of enquiry.