Auckland Mitre 10 worker threatens vehicle with forklift in viral confrontation

• Footage shows a Mitre 10 staff member using a forklift to threaten a ute driver in East Auckland.
• Mitre 10 has launched an investigation, expressing disappointment and emphasising customer respect.
• The video sparked social media debate, with opinions divided on the actions of both parties.

Footage has emerged of an altercation outside a Mitre 10 store in East Auckland where staff threatened a driver with a forklift.

A Mitre 10 spokesperson said the hardware retailer is “very disappointed” and has launched an investigation.

The woman who took the video told the Herald she was exiting the store on Wednesday afternoon when she heard a customer “having words” with staff at the door.

Her footage showed a ute parked in front of the Mitre 10 Mega Botany in what appeared to be the loading zone, while several staff members watched.

The video then showed a staff member in a forklift driving forward, sticking his forks under the ute and starting to raise them.

“I’m giving ya 30 seconds,” he warned the ute driver, who climbed into his vehicle.

The forklift operator then drove to the front of the ute while its driver challenged him.

“Are you going to put me in a dangerous position?” he asked the forklift operator. “I’m moving!”

The witness told the Herald the staff members “meant business”. She said she understood why staff would be upset the man had parked where he had, but described their reaction as “over the top”.

“They actually tried to forklift his car, then they fully blocked him in; he agreed to move his car but he couldn’t even try,” she said.

A Mitre 10 New Zealand spokesperson told the Herald they were “very disappointed to learn about this situation”.

“We are looking into the matter further. Our focus remains on maintaining the high standards and respect that our customers and community expect from us,” said the spokesperson.

The video sparked debate on social media, with several people saying the ute driver shouldn’t have parked there.

“Don’t park in a loading zone. Not overboard at all. People don’t respect workers,” one commented.

“Park correctly there wouldn’t be a problem,” another added.

Others said the forklift driver was taking his role too seriously.

“Yes the truck shouldn’t of been there, but the guy on the forklift should’ve handled the situation better,” one remarked.

“Just relax and let the bloke go,” another wrote.

Katie Oliver is a Christchurch-based multimedia journalist and breaking news reporter.