New Zealand Supermarket Chain Temporarily Removes Knives From Shelves After Terror Attack

Armed police patrol the area around Countdown LynnMall after a mass stabbing incident in Auckland, New Zealand, on Sept. 3, 2021. Fiona Goodall/Getty Images

New Zealand supermarket chain Countdown has temporarily removed knives from all of its shelves after an ISIS-inspired knife-wielding terrorist wounded seven people at a mall in Auckland.

Kiri Hannifin, Countdown’s general manager of safety, said in a statement on Sept. 4 a day after the attack that the company had decided to temporarily pull all knives and scissors from its shelves while it considers whether it should continue to sell them.

“Last night, we made the decision to temporarily remove all knives and scissors from our shelves while we consider whether we should continue to sell them. This is in no way a reflection on our customers, but an act of support for our team. We want all of our team to feel safe when they come to work, especially considering the events of yesterday,” she said.

Hannifin added, “Our thoughts are with our customers who were injured and their families. We would also like to thank the emergency services for their support of our customers and team yesterday.”

Police respond to the scene of an attack carried out by a man shot dead by police after he injured multiple people at a shopping mall in Auckland, New Zealand, on Sept. 3, 2021. Stuff Limited/Ricky Wilson via Reuters

Another supermarket giant, Foodstuffs New Zealand, which owns the New World, Pak’n Save, and Four Square chains, has also removed sharp knives from sale following the attack.

“Our thoughts are with the Countdown team and customers injured and affected by the terrible event at Lynn Mall yesterday,” Foodstuffs NZ head of corporate affairs Antoinette Laird told the New Zealand Herald on Sept. 4.

“Everyone deserves to be able to go to work and visit essential services like the supermarket safely,” she continued. “While we consider the event and take some time to review the safety of our customers and staff, Foodstuffs stores have removed sharp knives from sale.”

A Countdown spokesperson told The Epoch Times: “We’ll work through a discussion on next steps - [there is] no timeframe, we’re focused on our team right now.”

The Epoch Times has contacted a spokesperson from both Countdown and Foodstuffs for comment.