Crime takes off in Jacinda Ardern's New Zealand

Opposition leader has promised crackdown on crime if he is elected next year Murder comes as offenders target corner stores in smash-and-grab burglaries Prime Minister Jacinta Ardern comforted the widow of Janak Patel at his funeral The violent murder of a dairy worker has become emblematic of Auckland's crime woes, deepening troubles for Jacinda Ardern's government. On Sunday, Ms Ardern attended the funeral for Janak Patel, who was killed while running the dairy - which Kiwis call a corner store - in the heart of the prime minister's electorate. Convenience store worker Janak Patel was stabbed to death during an alleged smash-and-grab burglary in Sandringham, New Zealand, on Wednesday Mr Patel was fatally stabbed during an alleged robbery at the Rose Cottage Superette in Auckland His funeral service heard he and his wife dreamt of running their own business and relocated to Auckland a week earlier to mind the Rose Cottage Superette while the owners were away. Ms Ardern said the government would review and extend the interventions that are working as New Zealand is gripped by a worsening crime wave Sunny Kaushal of the Dairy and Business Owners Group told TVNZ he wanted to see dairy workers across the country close their shops between 12.30pm and 2.30pm to take part in a 'nationwide solidarity vigil' as a mark of respect for killed, injured or robbed workers.