"If people want to help please come forward as police are looking for more volunteers for this patrol."
This latest incident has shaken up fellow shopkeepers in the village and Joll Road Dairy owner Jarnail Singh said all security was up.
"We have our cameras in and outside the shop all working, as it's getting bad. What's happening in Auckland is starting to happen more and more down here."
He said it was growing problem and felt more needed to be done to protect shopkeepers.
"There needs to be more police on the ground patrolling the streets and I think that will stop these people doing this."
Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule said more police were expected to be rolled out after the government announced that the Eastern District would be getting another 68 officers during the next four years.
He said this should help deter this violent and unnecessary behaviour.
"I don't have an answer to what has happened but it is concerning that at 3:30pm a brazen attack took place."
Security had since been going through footage in Havelock North, although no additional staff had been added.
Mr Singh said the community patrol had made him feel safer and at this stage it was "so far so good" for the diary owner.
"I am lucky, my friends in Auckland have not been so lucky."
Havelock North Thirsty Liquor duty manager Gagandeep Singh was also concerned by the robbery and said they too have their CCTV cameras all running.
The cameras are both inside and outside of the store, covering all areas.
He said they had not been targeted before but was wary of what was happening to other retailers.
"We are being more careful and watching out on the street in case we see anyone or anything dodgy, as if we do we will just call the police straight away."
If people want to join the Havelock North Community Patrol visit: www.cpnz.org.nz/affiliated-patrols/#Eastern.