Foodstuffs have announced that all their supermarkets have successfully reopened following Cyclone Gabrielle.
Foodstuffs North Island is the 100 percent New Zealand-owned and operated cooperative behind PAK’nSAVE, New World, and Four Square in the North Island. Chief Executive Chris Quin stated they are pleased to have been able to reopen each of their stores, the last of which to open was the Four Square Tarandale in Napier.
The Napier area was evacuated Tuesday 14th of February due to the damages caused by Cyclone Gabrielle. The Four Square Tarandale was without power until Tuesday 21st of February, and therefore had been unable to trade during that time.
Chief Executive Chris Quin explained that reopening their stores is only the beginning.
“We want New Zealanders to know we’re fully committed to supporting the recovery from here. I’m proud of our team's response to the cyclone,” said Quin.
Foodstuffs North Island has flown out IT specialists to install Starlink kits to reintroduce internet connectivity to supermarkets in affected areas, chartered flights to deliver products and had their truck drivers brave extreme weather conditions for product deliveries. The effort and support displayed during and following the Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle have been immense.
“We’d like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding.”
Being the entity behind HereForNZ, Foodstuffs North Island has made a longstanding commitment to supporting affected communities, with all of their locally owned New World and PAK’nSAVE stores associated with a foodbank or food rescue organisation.
Their HereforNZ team have donated over $335,000 worth of product and cash funding for immediate support needs. Quin confirmed this support would increase as they work with their community partners over the coming weeks.
