Newly released CCTV images shows a shop attendant fending off a knife-wielding man during a robbery at a liquor store in Upper Hutt, north of Wellington.

Two men, whose faces were partially hidden, walked into Thirsty Liquor on Fergusson Dr just before 5.45pm on Tuesday.

"One of the offenders was armed with a knife and approached the staff member demanding money while the second offender took some bottles of alcohol from a shelf,' Detective Sergeant Chris Gooch said.

"The staff member then managed to chase the offenders from the shop, after hitting one with a hockey stick."

The two men ran across a railway track to a car which in a carpark opposite Silverstream Primary School.

The car was described as a maroon four-door Nissan hatchback with a number plate starting with the letter T. It was seen heading north along Gard St.

Anyone with any information should contact Hutt Valley Police on (04) 560 2600 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

- © Fairfax NZ News