Police are on the hunt for a man who robbed the Maybelle Superette on Kensington Avenue in Waihi armed with what appeared to be a pistol on Thursday.

Detective Sergeant Jason Perry says the man entered the Seddon Street store and ordered the shop keepers to lie down on the floor before stealing money and cigarettes at about 12.50pm.

Police say a man armed with what appeared to be a pistol robbed the Maybelle Superette in Waihi on Thursday afternoon. Photo: Google Maps.

'The man was in the dairy for a reasonable amount of time before presenting the pistol,” says Jason.

'Fortunately nobody was injured. The man left on foot down Parry Palm Avenue, which is the main state highway, in the direction of Paeroa.”

Jason says the robber had been seen by the shop keepers on Kensington Avenue by the public mail drop box prior to the robbery.

The man is described as Māori or Polynesian, of solid build, and was wearing a hat and a scarf over his mouth at the time of the robbery.

Police want to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or saw the man in the area either before or after the robbery occurred. They are also appealing to any witnesses who may have entered the dairy before or after this robbery also.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Jason Perry at the Waihi Police Station on 07 863 8179.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 500 111.