Slain dairy worker was a ‘happy soul’
Friends, whānau and wider members of the community gathered at a funeral service to farewell Janak Patel, a Hamilton man stabbed while working at an Auckland dairy.
Around 350 people attended the Hindi ceremony in the south Auckland suburb of Wiri yesterday Sunday afternoon.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Transport Minister Michael Wood, National MP Melissa Lee and Detective Inspector Scott Beard were among those who gathered to pay their respects to Patel, 34, who was newly married.
Family spokesperson Mitesh Dhanji said Patel ‘‘loved New Zealand.’’
‘‘In a short time, he got to know the community well, and he got along with everyone,’’ he said.
‘‘He was a happy soul and was delighted to see his parents, who recently arrived in New Zealand, and they had plans of spending Christmas together with the family.
‘‘He was a business-minded person, always on the go and always there to help others in need.’’
Patel was killed on Wednesday night after the Sandringham dairy he was working in, the Rose Cottage Superette, was robbed.
Police announced they had caught the alleged killer and an associate on Friday night. A 34-year-old appeared in the Auckland District Court on Saturday, charged with murder.
A second man, charged with robbery, will appear in court today.
Police revealed yesterday that they have made a third arrest in relation to the incident. A 36-year-old man has been charged with robbery and will appear in Auckland District Court today.
Dhanji said change needed to happen.
‘‘The passing of Janak is too close to home for many of us who have grown up with small businesses in New Zealand.
‘‘Most of us have come from immigrant families to ensure a better future, many of us have endured risks that should have been avoided,’’ he said.
‘‘I hope that Janak’s tragic passing does not go in vain, and that change will come. We are all responsible to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone, or any family again.’’
Police have also located and seized a vehicle that was being sought in relation to the investigation.