The 27 year old man, who police have not named, allegedly carried out the robbery last Saturday evening at Ma'ufanga.
He was allegedly brandishing a knife when he confronted a shopkeeper, getting away with $US302 dollars.
The police commissioner, Stephen Caldwell, said the allegations were extremely concerning but the arrest showed no one is above the law.
RNZI reports a second man has also been arrested in relation to the incident and is facing the same charge.
They will both appear in the Magistrate's Court on Friday.
Source:
Radio New Zealand