A 30-year-old Indian woman waiting for a train at the Henderson station was kicked and punched by a group of girls who accosted her and tried to extort money last Saturday.
Urmila (name changed), who moved to New Zealand only recently, doesn’t want to be identified and is currently recovering at home.
On May 24, she was returning from work at about 5.30pm when she was assaulted, while another woman—a nurse—was left bleeding from the neck after being struck with a metal object.
Urmila had just started a new job and was still in her training period. She had taken the train fewer than five times, she told The Indian Weekender.
On Saturday, Urmila was heading to Platform 1 at the construction-laden station after work, which currently has only one entry and exit point, when she was approached from behind with the words,
“Have you got any money, b#&$h?”
She says the group of teens, who appeared high on drugs, called her from behind. “I didn’t look back and kept moving forward, hoping to find a transport officer.”
Not finding one, she sat next to a fellow passenger—also appearing to be Indian and in a nurse’s uniform—on a bench while waiting for the train.
Within minutes, the group approached the women (Urmila and the nurse) on the bench again and repeated the demand for money.
“Sorry, I don’t have cash,” Urmila recalled saying.
The nurse also declined, but the group responded, “You are a nurse, you ought to have money.”
One of the teens then allegedly spat on the ground in an intimidating manner.
“One of them kicked me in the pelvic area and I just froze,” she said. “It was painful, and I was crouching.”
Urmila estimates that this happened within ten minutes.
As the nurse quickly phoned both a friend and 111, Urmila said the group delivered more kicks and punches on to her, but she kept silent.
When the girls realised emergency services had been contacted, they turned their attention to the nurse, giving Urmila a brief moment to escape.
“I had a 10-second window to run and seek help,” she said.
Spotting a couple nearing the platform, she asked if they had seen a transport officer. The couple stayed with her as she phoned the police.
Shortly after, the nurse rejoined them—her neck covered in blood.
“They hit her with a metal object or something,” Urmila said.
Urmila, while on phone with the Police, immediately informed them that an ambulance was also needed.
Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting, Area Investigations Manager, Waitematā West Area, told The Indian Weekender that police are investigating the alleged assault.
"The women have told Police they were waiting for a train when they were allegedly set upon by two females, both teenagers.The women allege they were asked for money and received minor injuries in an altercation that followed."
“Police have spoken with a number of people in connection with the incident and enquiries are ongoing,” he added.
Police also said that as part of the investigation, they are urging witnesses present at the Henderson Train Station around 5.30pm on May 24 to come forward and help.
“Anyone with information that can assist the enquiry is asked to update us online now or call 105,” Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting said.
The nurse was taken to hospital, and Urmila was asked to give an official statement.
“Within 30 minutes of the incident unfolding, a full gang of teens gathered at the adjacent bus station,” she said.
According to a transport officer, who later joined the scene, informed Urmila that the group was part of a gang.
The Indian Weekender also reached out to Auckland Transport (AT) with the query about the incident .
“Our Transport Officers play a key role in this, but unfortunately they cannot be everywhere all of the time, and their role requires them to move around, including onboard trains,” Mark Lambert, AT’s Group Manager Rail Services, told The Indian Weekender.
“In this case, Auckland One Rail is responsible for the security operations at the Henderson station, and we understand their security team was alerted and on site shortly after the incident,” he added.
Urmila, who has since received support from victim services and is recovering physically with painkillers, says the attack has left her shaken.
“While I’m not sure how the nurse is doing, I’m still shaken physically and mentally,” she said.
Now fearing for her safety, she has requested a location transfer.
“My partner and I came to New Zealand less than a year ago because it was safer than countries like the UK, USA, and Canada. We are now rethinking this decision.”
According to Urmila, a police officer told her and her partner that “Auckland is becoming increasingly dangerous” and advised that it might be safer to live outside the city.
Her final concern remains unanswered --- "Why was there no transport officer available on the platform at such a prime location?"
The Auckland Transport said that the "safety of our passengers is of paramount importance."
AT added that in order to provide improved security and incident response, “Auckland One Rail will now have a Security Officer permanently based on the platform at the Henderson station to ensure the safety of customers using train services.”
This article has been updated to include a response from New Zealand Police
ISSUE
