Gunman grabs $50,000 in raid on Queen St bank

Suspects in the BNZ robbery.

An Auckland security guard was forced to hand over more than $50,000 when he was threatened by an armed robber.

The guard was coming out of a lift in the ground floor of the Queen St BNZ bank building when he was threatened by a man carrying a sawn-off shotgun.

Detective Constable Iain Chapman said a second man stood nearby in the foyer.

Both men escaped in a waiting car, described as a dark blue Holden Commodore stationwagon with a roof rack.

The guard - whose colleague was waiting outside in the security van unaware of what was going on - was not injured and gave police a clear description of the men.

They are described as Maori or Pacific Islanders in their early to mid 30s and of medium build.

Mr Chapman said there was a degree of premeditation to the robbery, which happened just before 5pm on Wednesday.

"It is a very brazen attack," Mr Chapman said.

"There were plenty of people standing around."

Police are looking at similar robberies to see if there are any connections.

Anyone with information is asked to call Mr Chapman on (09) 302 6454.