Pollard said the man tried to get money from the till, but was unsuccessful “because when he hit it with the machete, he basically locked the whole system”.

The man took some spirits from the bar before fleeing.

Police are investigating the incident.

“The man has walked behind the counter and taken a number of items before leaving prior to police arrival,” Acting Detective Inspector Megan Goldie, of Waitematā CIB, told the Herald.

Bricklane Restaurant \& Bar has closed until further notice following an armed robbery.

Pollard labelled the armed robbery as “very aggressive” and a “horrific and violent attack”.

He said the manager was uninjured but remains “very shaken” after he was attacked by the offender “while the machete was in his hand”.

A “regular customer” was present at the time.

“Really my main concern was for the wellbeing of the staff,” he said, adding that “three or four” staff were involved in the incident.

“This one was particularly aggressive and particularly violent. I’ve got a lot of very badly affected people with this.”

Staff, and the customer involved, have been provided with counselling services.

Pollard said this type of crime is “causing mayhem” and becoming more prevalent, especially in Auckland.

“I think it’s something I’m seeing a lot more of throughout Auckland in particular.

“Verbal and physical abuse to our people from, let’s face it, the less than 1% of bad people, is really impacting the business. And I know that myself and the directors are very, very concerned about this.

“That’s why we have so many systems and processes in place, but it’s very difficult to manage against these opportunistic, aggressive criminals that seem to be around us at the moment ... It’s ridiculous. I’m sick of it.”

The Trusts chief executive Allan Pollard. Photo / NZME

Goldie requested people with any more information to come forward.

“A number of enquiries are underway to identify and locate the person responsible.

“Anyone with information that can assist the investigation can update police online now or call 105 using the file number 260720/9677.

“Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Pollard said he expects the bar to remain closed for “a couple of days”.

In May 2021, a masked man with a firearm burst into Bricklane about 7.05am and locked a staff member inside a freezer while demanding another open the safe, at gunpoint.

When the safe could not be opened, the offender fled with the two staff members unharmed but “extremely shaken”.

The 2021 case featured on an episode of now-cancelled TVNZ show Police Ten 7.