Staff at a dairy in Whangārei are "highly traumatised" after having to deploy a fog cannon to ward off armed robbers.
The incident happened around 6:20pm on Tuesday night at Mauna Superette on Maunu Rd.
Three young men entered the store, one of them appearing to carry a gun. The staff "fled to cover", police said on Thursday, while the offenders stole cigarettes.
Staff activated the fog cannon and the trio took off, escaping in a silver Mazda Atenza which was found a short time later in Hedley Pl.
"Staff at the superette were uninjured but highly traumatised by the robbery," police said in a statement.
They want to hear from anyone who saw the car on the day before or after the robbery - call them on 105, quoting file number 211130/3798, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.