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The sun was still slowly rising on a recent Tuesday morning when customers began queuing with anticipation to enter east Auckland’s newest supermarket.
More than 100 people turned out on February 25 for the formal opening of Pak’nSave Highland Park.
Among those on hand were its owner-operators Wade and Diana Brown, Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown, Foodstuffs North Island chief executive Chris Quin, members of the Howick Local Board, and local school principals and business owners.
By the time the formalities had been completed, more than a dozen customers had found shopping trollies and were waiting patiently at the side of the store’s entrance for the ribbon to be cut and its doors to open to the public at 7.30am.
The $100 million development covers nearly 7000 square metres of retail space and has created about 250 jobs in the local community.
Wade Brown says the new supermarket joins a bustling retail area with seven other grocery retailers within a 1km radius, offering shoppers even more options.
“While Woolworths sits right next door, Pak’nSave will also compete with a diverse range of niche and specialty stores, showcasing the thriving and dynamic nature of the Highland Park community.
“It’s not just about competing with the big Australian-owned guys. This is an area with vibrant, varied grocery options, and we’re excited to add even more choice.”
Wade and Diana Brown are experienced grocers. They previously ran New World Kawerau and New World Kumeū.
The couple are excited to bring their passion for low prices and great value to Highland Park.
“We’re here to fight for every dollar, helping local families stretch their grocery budgets further,” Wade Brown says.
“We want to offer a fresh, competitive option that blends affordability with quality and convenience.”
The new store features wider aisles, an extensive product range, and the latest innovations in supermarket operations.
Quin says Foodstuffs is proud to open Pak’nSave Highland Park and bring more competition to an “already dynamic area”.
“Whether it’s against a major multinational supermarket chain or the many fantastic specialty stores nearby, our focus is on delivering the best value to our customers every day.
“As New Zealand’s only locally-owned major grocery retailer, we’re committed to staying match-fit, making the investments needed to compete at scale, and ensuring Kiwis always have access to world-class supermarkets like this one.”
Diana Brown says the opening of Pak’nSave Highland Park isn’t just great news for shoppers.
It’s also a win for the local economy, with 250 new jobs created as part of the store’s launch.
“The response from job seekers has been incredible with more than 3000 people applying for roles.
“We’ve built a fantastic team that’s ready to deliver on our promise of New Zealand’s lowest grocery prices.”
