Spiderwoman foils crime in Kaitaia supermarket carpark

Sade Murray at the Pak 'n Save supermarket in Kaitaia. Photo / Supplied

Police have hailed a woman who went shopping dressed as a superhero as a real-life hero.

Sade Murray, a 27-year-old teacher from Kaitaia, went to her local Pak'nSave dressed as Spiderman this month for the store's themed birthday promotion.

Murray and many others entered a competition for a $1000 gift card by dressing up as superheroes and uploading pictures with Pak'nSave's Stickman. But Murray, who won the competition, became a real hero when she intervened in an alleged domestic incident in the carpark.

Sergeant Courtney Sandilands, of Kaitaia police, praised Murray, saying she prevented the incident "from escalating further".

Police later arrested and charged a 32-year-old local man with injuring with intent and threatening to kill.

The woman involved had medical attention and is being supported by social service agencies.

Murray said she heard swearing coming from a car and stepped in as she felt brave and wanted to help.

She approached the man's car and asked him to stop what he was doing. He told her to mind her own business, she said, to which she replied: "In the name of Jesus, I won't."

"As soon as I did that, he looked at me and then tried to take off in the car." The car stalled and the man left. As he left, a woman inside the car thanked Murray for helping.

Police later located the man.

Meanwhile, Murray's community-spirit has seen her give much of her $1000 grocery voucher winnings to family and friends.

The Pak'nSave promotion raised $5000 for the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation.