Waiata before the candle lighting at the end of the vigil for slain dairy worker. Video / George Block / Ella Wilks
Slain Auckland dairy worker Janak Patel was a “true family man” and will be remembered as a “loving person who cared for everyone around him”, his funeral was told.
Patel, who was fatally stabbed during an alleged robbery at the Rose Cottage Superette last Wednesday, was farewelled at a service at Anns Funeral Home in Wiri on Sunday.
The 34-year-old’s wife, parents, sisters and other family were among the mourners, as was Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who hugged Patel’s widow Vijeta during the event.
The master of ceremonies at the service, Mitesh Dhanji, said the couple had a “dream to run their own business”.
They had only relocated from Hamilton to Auckland last week to run the Sandringham dairy while its owners were overseas.
”[Janak’s] … death is too close to home. We all come from immigrant families. We have seen hardship which we shouldn’t have to,” he said.
Dhanji described Patel as a man “very grounded in religion” who believed in a “holistic and spiritual lifestyle”.
Patel, those gathered were told, was born in the India city of Navsari and “had a great love for his country and culture”, enjoying the Garba form of dance which originates from his home state of Gujarat.
He migrated to the United Kingdom for 10 years after finishing his education. Like many, the Janak and Vijeta were separated by Covid-19 border closures and he was only able to join his wife in New Zealand in April of this year.
Friend Pooja Dhanji said the night she heard about the “devastating news” of Patel’s death she couldn’t sleep.
”Life is all about compassion and surrounding themselves with loved ones and the community.”Good and bad [it’s] up to us which path we take ... I just hope wherever Janak bhai is he is at peace,” she said.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern attended the funeral for Janak Patel. Photo / Akula Sharma
The honourary consul of India in Auckland, Bhav Dhillon, acknowledged the support given to the family by community leaders.
”The whole community has rallied behind the family, the Sandringham community, we acknowledge them. And all the people who set up candle light vigils and marches for the family,” he said.
MPs and former politicians - including Priyanca Radhakrishnan, Mark Mitchell, Michael Wood and Kawaljit Singh Bakshi – attended the service, as did Detective Inspector Scott Beard who is leading the investigation into Patel’s death.
The funeral took place shortly after police announced the arrest of a third person as part of their homicide probe.A 36-year-old man has been charged with robbery and is due to appear in Auckland District Court tomorrow.
Police also found and seized a car which was being sought in relation to the homicide investigation, Beard said on Sunday.
Police were tonight still searching for the weapon used in Wednesday night’s alleged murder, and the drawer from the cash register that was stolen from the dairy during the incident. The clothes being worn by the man accused of the murder were also being sought, Beard said.
A 34-year-old man was arrested on Friday and charged with aggravated robbery and murder following Patel’s death.
A second man, 42, was also arrested and has been charged with robbery. Both men were remanded in custody on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Cabinet is meeting tomorrow to discuss what more can be done to combat crime, while many dairy owners plan to close their doors and stand in front of their shops for two hours to highlight the dangers they face.
