Armed police from Alexandra and Cromwell were called to an Alexandra house on Friday night after concerns were raised about a drunk man threatening to "deal with" police with a sword, spear and firearm.

Senior constable John Clark, of Alexandra, said the alarm was raised by police communications after the man called emergency services and made "concerning comments".

"The man indicated if any police came onto the property he would ‘deal with them'," Mr Clark said.

The man said he was drunk, depressed and wanted psychological help, he said.

Armed police cordoned off a house in Gregg St about 10.30pm and alerted the armed offenders squad in Dunedin.

A police negotiator spoke with the man on the telephone.

The suspect emerged from the house and surrendered about an hour later.

During his arrest he allegedly threatened to kill two police officers.

Police searched the house, which was not the man's residence, and recovered a spear and a sword.

Police did not find any firearms.

The man was taken into custody and bailed once he was sober, Mr Clark said.

A 47-year-old man will appear in Alexandra District Court on Wednesday charged with threatening to kill police.

- © Fairfax NZ News