Supermarket boss reaches out to Lotto lady let go after nearly 30 years of service

Friday, 15 May 2026

Steve Duffield, owner of the Ferguson St Pak’nSave in Palmerston North, has contacted Katie Tippler to 'see if we can come to a better outcome' following a public outcry over her redundancy.

After reading emails and social media posts, Duffield acknowledged the 'concerns and disappointment' of the community.

Tippler, a 56-year-old with a disability who worked at the store for nearly 30 years, was made redundant on May 4 after the stand-alone Lotto counter was disestablished due to a physical redevelopment of the store entrance.

An outpouring of support for Pak’nSave Lotto lady Katie Tippler, who was made redundant from the Palmerston North store, has led to a new approach from the supermarket where she had worked for nearly 30 years.

The owner of the Ferguson St supermarket, Steve Duffield, said he had listened to “the concerns and disappointment” after her story was published on Tuesday.

Tippler had been forced to leave the job that she said was her world.

The 56-year-old had a disability and used a prosthetic leg which enabled her to walk and stand for short periods.

The Lotto job suited her well as she was able to sit down, but the position was disestablished due to the physical redevelopment of the store’s entrance, and the stand-alone Lotto counter was to go.

On Monday, May 4, she was called in on her day off to be given her two weeks’ notice, which was all her employment contract required, and told not to return.

On Friday, May 15, Duffield posted a message on social media that said Tippler had been a valued member of their team, “and we genuinely didn’t want things to end this way”.

“I understand why people feel strongly about it,” he wrote.

“We don’t make changes to our store very often, and we tried to work through a difficult situation as carefully and respectfully as we could. Looking back, it’s clear that how it turned out has left people upset, including Katie.”

Duffield said in this case they wanted to find a good outcome for someone who has been part of the store for so long, and he was “disappointed they didn’t get there”.

The supermarket owner added: “I have reached out to Katie and let her know that I’m happy to sit down again, and to see if we can come to a better outcome for her.”

He thanked everyone who shared their views respectfully and said he has read and heard every email and every post, and taken all comments on board.

It is unclear if Tippler’s numbers have come in and she has a firm job offer from the supermarket.