Remember the song, There’s a kind of hush, all over the world, tonight?
It could be the theme song of Pakuranga Plaza, substituting the words world for mall and tonight to today: There’s a kind of hush, all over the mall, today…
This writer’s found himself singing those lyrics when visiting the Pakuranga shopping centre these past four months.
There’s no argument, it’s been a very sad, tough year for businesses trading at Pakuranga Plaza and within its adjacent precinct.
They’ve been walled-in, surrounded by the ongoing construction works associated with Auckland Transport’s building of Eastern Busway infrastructure and Rā Hihi (Reeves Road Flyover).
It has disrupted people’s access in and out of the Pakuranga town centre, as previous Times stories have reported, and to providers supplying goods and services to Plaza tenants and other businesses there.
What it has done is put people off from visiting and shopping there, leading to a decline in economic fortunes: Less customers, less sales, less revenue.
Adding to the troubles has been the cost-of-living crisis and ongoing pains of post-Covid.
The Times recently visited Pakuranga Plaza again as the traditional Christmas retail season kicked off.
While other malls across Auckland were enjoying bumper crowds and trade, with elaborate and stylish Christmas decorations adorning their facilities and appropriate yuletide music in the air, Pakuranga Plaza was anything but festive.
The Times spoke to more business owners and operators at the Plaza.
One, who doesn’t want to be named, says the reason why they don’t want to be identified is because they feel they “could be penalised with higher rents” by the landlords – Pakuranga Plaza on behalf of Singapore-based owners Sedar Properties.
The anonymous business operator says mass-product retailer Panda Mart has been good for the Plaza in attracting shoppers, but “it has quietened down”, and that AT “has made an effort tidying up traffic flow for Christmas”.
Meanwhile, when entering the store of Talat Alaaie – Unique Desire (Hand Made like no other) – it’s a complete contrast to most other small shops inside the centre: It’s open for trading.
There’s a beautiful aroma of incense in the air, calming music, and well-stocked beautiful garments and items imported from different Asian destinations.
It’s the most colourful and serene space at the Plaza.
He tells the Times of the shop’s economic fortunes: “Every single month is a struggle. I’ve seen the impact for the last year and a half. It’s the [national] economic situation.”
Alaaie, who also has a shop at Royal Oak that’s also slowed down, says “higher interest rates and the cost of living have played a role” in the downturn and he’s had to “lay off staff”.
“It’s 25 per cent the mall, and 75 per cent the country,” says Alaaie, describing a breakdown of how he sees the reasoning for decreased sales.
“We don’t see the local people anymore. All the regulars. Elderly people used to come here from retirement villages for shopping trips.
“The Plaza has been quiet since Covid. I expected this. A lot of businesses were going.”
Despite the troubled times, Alaaie is complimentary about Pakuranga Plaza management, saying they’re “beautiful and try their best”.
“Things will get better,” says Alaaie.
Jeffrey Dong has eHome Furniture open near the Woolworths supermarket entrance.
He decided to set up shop there because “the rent is pretty cheap” and the landlords are “very good, very understanding”.
Trade is “up and down” but a big part of his business is online sales.
One of the well-known businesses at the Plaza is Astina Floral Design, which has good sales, but director Astina Shi admits there has been a “drop”.
She’s been trading there for six years, enjoys the environment because of her regular interaction with customers, and is optimistic for the future.
“I think it’ll get better,” says Shi.
Arthur Wang, who has run PF Op Shop inside the Plaza for a year, is not so hopeful, as his business turnover in 2024 has been “not that good”.
“It’s the economic recession. You never know when this will end.
“Not so many people are walking through this area. The number of customers has decreased a lot.”
Over the past four months as the Times has done this series of stories about Pakuranga Plaza, we’ve tracked the building of Rā Hihi.
A road surface on the flyover has now progressed from the William Roberts Road end to almost extend to the Ti Rakau Drive junction with Reeves Road.
Its giant metal and concrete structures pass over near Cortina Place, and in that formerly vibrant trading street, Karl Mirbach has Cordion Motors, a business he started in Highland Park in 1983.
He’s been there “coming up three years” and when asked if he believes the Eastern Busway construction works have caused disruption to his trade, Mirbach says “most definitely”.
“It definitely suppresses business and I don’t see it changing for another year.
“It’s a bit of a struggle down here,” adding this year is “just as bad” as last year’s trade.
Though, Mirbach did have a “reasonable month” in November.
The consistent message the business owners relayed in all our conversations was: there is hope that next year will be better for business.
The Times has asked many questions of Pakuranga Plaza management over the past four months, in emails and two visits to their office, to which there has been the consistent answer.
“At this time, we don’t have any information to share. We appreciate your understanding and interest in Pakuranga Plaza,” management wrote in a statement on December 5.
“If or when there are updates that we can share publicly about any tenant changes, we’ll be sure to communicate these through our official channels.”
