At this point you almost have to feel sorry for Pakuranga Plaza.
The Times has reported extensively this year on the Plaza’s ongoing struggles as its tenants, workers and shoppers deal with the daily turmoil associated with construction of the Eastern Busway and the Reeves Road Flyover.
From the shopping centre being targeted by criminals to the popular Life Pharmacy moving out, to local MP Simeon Brown weighing in on what’s gone wrong there to members of the public speaking out on the situation and most recently the revelation The Warehouse at the Plaza is closing down, things are not going well.
To rub salt in the wound, New Zealand online magazine and news website TheSpinoff, which is based in central Auckland, has this week published a story ranking the 33 malls of Auckland from best to worst with – you guessed it – Pakuranga Plaza taking out the lowest spot.
The story inaccurately says there’s nothing inside the Plaza, criticises the appearance of its exterior, and describes its car park as a “wasteland”.
“Everything is worse inside. The food court is desolate. Abandoned alcove after abandoned alcove are each scrubbed clean with Jiff and left to echo.
“Wires hang down from the ceiling and menus have been ripped off their backlights.”
The story points out the Plaza’s food court is empty except for a solitary Subway outlet and that it seems like “almost every shop front is shuttered”.
“The bookshop has paperbacks at half price and yet still looks empty. The one lady looking at the hippie clothes in Unique Desire looks like she owns the place.
“Astina Floral Designs has big, beautiful flower arrangements but no one is walking past.
“One shop has been happily taken over by the ping pong club, and four seniors are tapping away across the tables.”
The story concludes by stating multiple stores at the Plaza are being used to store items for the Panda Mart retail outlet, which it labels a “behemoth”.
“Inside, you can buy anything for incredibly low prices. Underwear … tools, pots and pans, Christmas everything, plushies, plastic footwear in the style of Crocs, mountains of carpets, actual furniture and anything else you might possibly discover you need.
“It’s the busiest part of the mall, and everyone is buying something.
“It’s hard to imagine any other shop being able to thrive with this next door. Forget Pakuranga, this is now the Panda Plaza.”
Residents in east Auckland can only hope that brighter days are ahead for what used to be the area’s most popular and busiest shopping centre.
- Read more of the Times’ coverage of Pakuranga Plaza:
MP weighs into debate over problems at Plaza – Times
Busway construction drives pharmacy from Pakuranga Plaza – Times
Pain down at Pakuranga Plaza – Times
EXCLUSIVE: The Warehouse at Pakuranga Plaza is closing – Times
