Katie's back at Pak’nSave Lotto

Friday, 12 June 2026

Pak’nSave Palmerston North’s Lotto lady Katie Tippler has been seen back serving at the supermarket’s Lotto counter.

She had been made redundant in May after 30 years’ service, sent home with just two weeks’ notice and no compensation.

News about the situation for the woman who wears a prosthetic leg and described her job as “my world”, created an outpouring of support on social media.

Some people even planned a protest outside the supermarket, but that did not eventuate.

The Manawatū Standard understands there was a subsequent mediation meeting which reached some sort of agreement.

Her union representative Dion Martin said Katie – her official name is Karen but most people call her Katie – was thrilled to be back at work, and thanked Pak’nSave for the support.

One of the comments on social media was that Katie was once a full-time worker, but was now only working two days a week.

Store manager Steve Duffield declined to comment at all.

Facebook commentators saw her back at work during the week, and said they were happy to see her.

Some people said they had stopped buying their Lotto tickets in protest, but would return now they knew Katie was back.

The tone of the comments goes like this:

“Well done Pak’n Save for realising you got it wrong and making amends.”

“That’s great news for Katie & the store as the people that stopped buying Lotto there because she lost her job will be back.”

“We will be happy to see Katie's smile again.”

“This has gone a long way to restoring my faith in humanity.”