Actor Shane Cortese thanks public for support after train robbery

Nerida and Shane Cortese pictured in August.

Kiwi actor Shane Cortese says a robbery on an Auckland train hasn't put his son off travelling on them and they plan to get on there again this weekend.

Cortese and son, Kees, were on the train on Saturday morning when three 'heavy-set NZers' sat around them and began intimidating them.

"Kees and I were on one of our regular train trips so he could make VLOGS with his iPad. It's a regular autistic pattern to like trains. He sits a couple of seats in front of me and loves these trips," he said on a Facebook post which has since been deleted.

"At Middlemore two men and a woman got on the train and sat around us and acted very intimidatingly to both me and my 10-year-old.

"Within seconds Kees was agitated, panicking and crying because his iPad had been lifted," Cortese said.

Cortese, best known for his role as Hayden Peters on Outrageous Fortune and Mac on Nothing Trivial, posted again last night thanking the public for their support and that the incident wouldn't put them off travelling on trains.

"Just a quick post to thank everyone for their wonderful comments and Concern today. We live in a great country ... Kees is good.

"He knows they are bad guys and is just looking forward to dad getting him a new iPad! Looking forward to a ride in the train again next weekend."

Just a quick post to thank everyone for their wonderful comments and Concern today. We live in a great country. I’ve...

Posted by Shane Cortese on Saturday, 14 October 2017

The trio got off the train at Papatoetoe and were monitored by security and on CCTV.

Auckland Transport confirmed footage from the train and station cameras have been saved for police.

The train manager assisted the family and took full descriptions of the three people, who were spotted on another train.

Police have confirmed they are also investigating.

"Police are currently investigating an incident relating to a theft that was reported to have taken place on a train near Middlemore on Saturday morning," Detective Senior Sergeant Kevin McNaughton said.

"Police are unable to provide further comment at this time while it's under the early stages of investigation."