Two Christchurch workers have been injured in a pair of brazen, back-to-back aggravated robberies that took place just 10 minutes apart on Monday evening.
Police were first called to the Mairehau Food Market on Briggs Road in Shirley at approximately 8.10pm after reports that two people armed with a weapon had entered the premises. An employee was assaulted during the incident and sustained moderate injuries. The offenders fled in a vehicle that had been reported stolen.
Just 10 minutes later, a second report came in of a similar robbery at the Gayhurst Dairy on McBratneys Road in Dallington, only 6km away. Two offenders, also armed with a weapon, entered the store, assaulted an employee and stole cash before fleeing in a vehicle. The second victim was also transported to Christchurch Hospital with moderate injuries.
Senior Sergeant Seb Kohnke confirmed that a weapon was used in both attacks. "The two offenders have targeted cash before leaving the area in a vehicle," he said. Police are now working to determine if the two violent incidents are linked and are making inquiries to identify and locate those responsible.
Businesses and community shaken
The targeted businesses, Mairehau Food Market and Gayhurst Dairy, remained closed on Tuesday morning as police conducted scene examinations. The doors were bolted at Gayhurst Dairy, while the lights were on but the doors were shut at the Mairehau store. Employees at both dairies were reportedly shaken by the attacks and too upset to speak about their ordeals.
When the stores reopened on Tuesday afternoon, customers could be seen offering their well-wishes to the staff. Outside the Gayhurst Dairy, blood had been washed from the pavement where the assault occurred.
This is not the first time the Gayhurst Dairy has been the site of a brutal attack. In May 2012, a teenage gang member, Dwayne Kararema Tutengaehe, ambushed the owner after closing time, stabbing him in the shoulder with a 30cm knife in a shocking, unprovoked assault while attempting to steal the day’s takings.
Local leaders condemn 'unnecessarily violent behaviour'
The attacks have been met with frustration and condemnation from local community leaders. Burwood Ward City Councillor Kelly Barber described the robberies as appalling and unnecessarily violent. “Dairy owners provide a really important service in our small community, and often they’re small family businesses just trying to make a living like the rest of us,” he said. “I’m really frustrated that they have to go through these sorts of situations.”
Cr Barber also cautioned the public about the dangers of intervening in such incidents. "These people are not in their right mind if they’re robbing dairies, and [the public] probably just need to let the police do their work,” he advised. “I wish the police every success in apprehending these violent thieves.”
Spike in attacks reignites calls for tougher crime laws
The dual robberies follow another violent incident last week, where a dairy owner on Opawa Road was stabbed and seriously injured during a robbery involving three people. The spate of violent retail crime has reignited calls from business advocates for significant law changes to protect workers. As the discussion around new laws and policies continues, the real cost of living in New Zealand 2026 also remains a pressing concern for citizens.
Ash Parmar, a spokesperson for the Dairy and Business Owners Group, says the government must take a stronger stance against offenders.
As a retailer who has had to deal with injured and shocked staff, my heart goes out to the victims in Christchurch. Too many retail workers have been injured or killed for New Zealand to be complacent about retail crime. As a country, we need to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to retail crime.
Parmar is advocating for immediate policy adoption, including "non-lethal defence aids, citizens’ arrests and move on orders to give our police, retailers and security guards the ability to prevent crime from happening.”
Police investigate as community rallies in support
Following the Opawa Road dairy stabbing, police arrested a 14-year-old at a Woolston address. The teenager is set to appear in the Christchurch Youth Court to face charges. The issue of youth crime continues to be a concern, with debates around education and early intervention often pointing to resources like guides for local schools.
Christchurch District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill said the arrest brought some comfort to the community but stressed the investigation was ongoing. "The investigation team is working relentlessly to track down those involved," he said. Police are seeking public information about a silver Toyota MarkX, with the registration NRP221, which was used by the offenders to flee the scene.
In the wake of the Opawa attack, community members have left flowers outside the dairy. A Givealittle page has also been established to support the owner and his family, who are described as a "wonderful part" of the Opawa community.
Superintendent Hill appealed to the public for assistance in locating the remaining offenders from the Opawa robbery. "We know other people were involved in this incident and we need to hear from people in the community if they have information that could help us locate the offenders," he said.
