Locals are still reeling from Thursday's violent assault at a New Windsor dairy, desperate for change and exhausted after what they say is yet another frightening ordeal.
A 24-year-old man appeared in Auckland District Court on Friday, facing two charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and one of resisting police.
One owner, who was stabbed, remains in a serious condition in hospital, while the other, his wife, who was also injured, has since been released from hospital.
A day after the attack, the police tape had been removed from outside the small row of shops on New Windsor Rd and businesses were able to open to customers again.
But the roller door of the New Windsor dairy remained shut, a bouquet of pink flowers were placed outside to show of compassion for the couple attacked.
Fear was still hanging over the community.
"It feels unsafe, to be honest at this area because we thought this is really secure, we thought we have cameras and everything is safe, but things like this make us scared," one nearby resident said.
Police officers outside the New Windsor Dairy in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
When asked whether he was worried for his safety, one man told RNZ: "Oh yeah, absolutely... we never know what kind of people are coming - good people, you know, bad people, you never know."
People spoke highly of their local dairy owner, who was now in a serious condition in hospital.
"He's been a really good person, he's been really friendly to us and it's really sad to hear something happened like this," one person said.
The owners of the New Windsor Bakehouse just moved in three weeks ago.
One owner said they were in the middle of making coffee and serving customers when chaos erupted.
It was not the welcome to the neighbourhood they were expecting.
"Yeah, very scary, the previous owner said that this area is very safe."
Another nearby business owner, who did not want to be named, also started up just a week ago.
They also have a shop in Takanini and this was not the first time they had experienced violence.
"We had a break-in like twice in four weeks, so we are used to it."
Police outside the New Windsor Dairy in Auckland following an assault. Photo: RNZ / Jordan Dunn
But they said it should not have to be this way and wanted to see tougher punitive measures against crime.
"We need more security, you know, police can go hard on these things then they will try to stop."
Sandringham Business Association chair Jithin Chittibomma had reached out to the victims of Thursday's attack through another neighbouring business.
He said it was an extremely difficult time.
"One-hundred percent traumatised. It's not easy yeah, every single time anything like this happens, especially of this magnitude, my phone rings every time ... it's a point of so much frustration and disappointment."
Chittibomma said most attacks were carried out by people seeking things like cigarettes or alcohol.
But this one took place in broad daylight in a busy neighbourhood.
"People come and go all the time we've got to stop making excuses and confront this ... our policies are clearly not working for us, especially in keeping us safe."
He had this plea for those targeting businesses: "This has got to stop whatever your issues are, whatever you're going through in life, this is not the way reach out for help."
