Mangawhai 'a whole new world' as supermarket opens

JULIA WADE

First published online Oct 18

After three years the wait is over as the much-anticipated New World supermarket officially opened its doors in Mangawhai.

Starting with a karakia in the early morning of October 18, a crowd of approximately 50 eager shoppers gathered at the front of the store with first-time store owners Scott and Rachael Henderson and their two children, along with Kaipara District Council representatives and Foodstuffs management.

Providing 70 new jobs for Kaipara locals from as far away as Paparoa, Te Arai, Langs Beach and Mangawhai, the Henderson’s say being able to offer meaningful employment and support local organisations ‘in such an awesome community is a great feeling’.

“It’s a real privilege to bring this fantastic new store to the Mangawhai area,” Scott says. “I know local residents and holidaymakers have been wanting a full-service supermarket for quite some time, and they can now enjoy a full range New World right on their doorstep, no more having to drive a long distance for regular grocery shop or load up the car before coming here on holiday, we’ll have everything you need.”

Becoming the owner of New World Mangawhai is a dream come true for the young father, who first fell in love with the supermarket industry as a 14-year-old checkout assistant, and after working at both New World Orewa and Pak ‘n Save Westgate, says having store ownership became his ultimate goal.

“After 18 years with the co-op and what could be described as one of the world’s longest apprenticeships across many departments including grocery, chilled/frozen, deli, produce and buying, it’s incredibly rewarding to realise my store ownership dream,” he says. “Locals have been excited about the opening of this store for some time and we are equally looking forward to serving our new community.”

Foodstuffs head of property manager Nick Hanson says Mangawhai’s new store is a New World 2.0, a new breed of supermarket the corporation are rolling out across the North Island.

“Mangawhai is the fourth supermarket we’ve built which encompasses a number of new technologies, in particular with lower energy use of CO2 refrigeration which includes having refrigerated goods in standing refrigeration with doors to reduce our energy footprint and a new internal layout which is slightly different to a standard supermarket,” he says. “We are extremely happy and proud to be able to bring this New World to the community, it’s been a long time in the making.”

First time store owners Scott and Rachael Henderson with Jacob (2) and Scarlett (6), who had the honour of officially declaring the much-anticipated supermarket open. Also pictured are council representatives (from left) retiring Cr Peter Wethey, general manager Jason Marris and Cr Jonathan Larsen, who joined the ceremony along with a 50 strong crowd of eager shoppers. PHOTO/ELEVATED MEDIA

“Locals have been excited about the opening of this store for some time and we are equally looking forward to serving our new community.”

– Scott Henderson, owner