Police are hunting two men after an attempted aggravated robbery in Havelock North on Saturday.
Detective Sergeant Craig Vining said two males entered the Lispscombe Crescent Dairy at about 12.25pm. They confronted the female shop owner, who ran to the back of the store.
The offenders tried to open the till but failed, and later ran from the dairy onto Sefton St.
They are described as being in their mid to late teens, both wearing hooded sweatshirts.