Many dairy and convenience store owners have shut their doors this afternoon, to take part in protests against violent robberies.

34-year-old Janak Patel was fatally stabbed outside an Auckland dairy last Wednesday after confronting offenders trying to steal the cash register.

Three men are now before the court in relation to the incident - one of them is charged with murder.

But the retailers claim the government is too soft on crime, and they need urgent action.

Cabinet is currently discussing the issue.

Charlotte Cook was joined by RNZ reporters covering protests in Auckland

Finn Blackwell was outside the prime minister's electorate office in Mt Albert; and Lucy Xia was in Sandringham.