Police are continuing to investigate the attempted robbery at the Arataki Superette where a woman threatened the shop attendant with a 20cm knife.

A woman, wearing a distinctive white bandage on her left hand, entered the store on Ocean Beach Road around 3pm on Saturday brandishing a knife and demanding money from the store attendant.

A CCTV picture of the woman who attempted to rob the Arataki superette.

The shop assistant then activated the panic alarm causing the offender to flee empty handed.

Detective sergeant Darryl Brazier says police will be visiting a number of people in the next few days to establish their involvement in the incident.

'She's certainly desperate, and quite dangerous. She threatened to stab the attendant in the shop.”

Darryl says the knife is distinctive - with a long blade reaching almost 20cm.

The woman is described as Maori aged between 17 to 20-years-old, heavily built and wearing a purple t-shirt, black baggy pants and had her head covered with a blue bandana with white spots and her face covered with a red or pink bandana.

Darryl says the woman was carrying a black backpack and was last seen running down Kaimanawa Street, about 150 metres from the superette.

'Obviously this female out there with bandage around her hand is quite distinctive and somebody knows who she is,” says Darryl.

'We would like to hear from anyone, in confidence if necessary.”

Anyone with information about the offender is being asked to contact their nearest police station or leave information anonymously via the Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 line.