New World Ōtaki owner-operator Raj Singh said a major refurbishment of the store is well underway, with Foodstuffs North Island investing more than NZD six million.
Work on the project began in July 2025 and is due to be completed in April 2026, ensuring the supermarket continues to meet the local community's needs for decades to come.
"The store was built 60 years ago, and we want it to still be serving Ōtaki in another 60 years. This investment is about setting the store up for the long term and making sure customers have a better, easier and more wonderful shopping experience," said Singh.
One of the biggest changes customers may not immediately notice will be a significant back-of-house extension that adds 174 square metres to the store. Singh said that the extra space will give provide more storage and expand the Click & Collect area.
It means we’ll be able to put online orders together more efficiently and get them ready faster.
To improve safety in the car park, Foodstuffs North Island bought a neighbouring property to create a new, dedicated and fully separated delivery access way.
This creates a much safer environment for customers coming and going.
Inside the store, all refrigeration has been replaced with modern CO₂ systems, reducing the store’s carbon footprint and providing great energy efficiency. New refrigeration cases have been installed across produce, butchery, deli, seafood and frozen foods.
Customers will also see new shelving throughout the store, along with a new air conditioning system designed to keep temperatures consistent year-round. The main entrance will be refreshed as well, and over the next few weeks, the Lotto kiosk will be reconfigured.
The flooring is also getting a full upgrade, with the old white vinyl tiles being replaced by a modern polished concrete floor.
Behind the scenes, the fresh food preparation areas are being upgraded, including new flooring, a new bakery oven and other updated equipment to support the team’s day-to-day operations.
Ōtaki deserves the best shopping experience we can offer. I’m here to help create a store that meets the needs of the community, now and into the future.
