Police say the robbery of the Smiths City Lotto Shop in Kawerau on Friday was brazen.
The robber walked into the Lotto outlet in the Bay of Plenty town, demanded money from a woman behind the counter and left with a small amount of cash.
"This was a brazen day-time robbery in a busy shopping mall and someone has seen this offender either prior to him walking into the Lotto or running out the rear," detective senior sergeant Greg Standen says.
Police are looking for a 1.83m tall male Maori with a goatee.
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