Pawik Patel, the owner of Allandale Superette in Whakatāne, has faced numerous challenges since opening his dairy in 2017. Having immigrated from Fiji to New Zealand two decades ago, he has experienced a ram raid in 2019, a robbery in 2022, and an incident in 2025 where a pregnant staff member was pushed. The latest event took place on May 31, when a man entered the store around 7 am, pretending to shop for a phone charger.
A man pushed a staff member who was seven months pregnant, but she successfully activated a fog cannon during the altercation, according to The Whakatāne Beacon. The intruder then broke into the neighbouring home, where Patel’s father was asleep. He reportedly demanded money, leading Patel’s father to flee by climbing out of a bedroom window, which resulted in injuries. “The staff member was taken to the hospital, and both mother and baby are doing well,” Patel informed The Indian Weekender.
Police have charged a 33-year-old man in connection with the incident. "A 33-year-old man is currently before the courts," a police spokesperson confirmed. "He is scheduled to reappear in the Whakatane District Court tomorrow (11 June) on charges of unlawfully entering an enclosed area, two counts of unlawful interference, two counts of burglary, assault with intent to injure, and wilful damage."
According to Patel, this incident marks the third attack on local businesses. In 2019, two masked youths reportedly entered the shop, locked the door, and held Patel at knifepoint while stealing cigarettes.
"I recognised those young boys because Whakatāne is a small community," Patel stated. "I wasn't afraid," he remembered.
After the youths took the stolen items, Patel was unharmed. He mentioned that one of the boys was turned in to the police by his mother the next day.
In 2022, Patel's dairy was once again targeted in a ram raid. "The truth is, this will never end," he remarked. "All the alleged robbers eventually go free."
He added, "There are so many shoplifting incidents these days. There's absolutely no control."
