South Auckland taxi driver robbed in night attack

A taxi driver was punched in the head several times before being robbed by a passenger in Manukau City on Monday night.

The attack happened about 8.30pm on Bairds Rd in Otara and is the third of its kind in South Auckland during the past week.

The passenger allegedly demanded money and the car keys while beating the driver, who worked for South Auckland Taxis.

Police say the man took money from the driver's pocket and ran off towards the Otara town centre.

Last Tuesday another South Auckland Taxis driver, also driving in Otara, was punched by three passengers. The 56-year-old driver eventually crashed his taxivan into a house and the passengers ran off. They have not been found.

The following night an Auckland Co-op taxi driver was allegedly punched in the head several times in Favona but he pushed a panic button and police were sent. A 15-year-old boy and two teenage females were arrested in connection with that attack.

The Taxi Federation said it encouraged drivers to install emergency systems, GPS trackers and partitions as safety precautions.

A South Auckland Taxis spokesman said the company did have security systems in many taxis but they were often difficult to activate during an attack. He added that staff were encouraged to choose their passengers wisely, and pull out of a job if they didn't feel comfortable.

A 20-year-old man has been charged with robbery in connection with the latest attack.