A man has been charged with disorderly behaviour, resisting police, and wilful trespass, after failing to wear a mask at a Christchurch supermarket.

An eyewitness told Chris Lynch the man and his two teenage sons tried to enter Countdown on Ferry Road just after 5pm on Monday.

The man abused staff after they were told to wear masks.

The eyewitness said the man refused to cooperate with police and was wrestled to the ground and arrested by officers.

A police spokeswoman said the man is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court on Friday.

A Countdown spokeswoman said ”we are seeing about 20 incidents a day where customers become aggressive or abusive about masks, which is very disappointing and so hard on our team.”

“Thankfully the vast majority of Kiwis are doing the right thing and we’d remind everyone that wearing a mask is mandatory as directed by the government.”