‘Where are we going to go?’
New World abandons plans to rebuild in lowincome suburb
Foodstuffs is abandoning the low-income Hawke’s Bay suburb of Flaxmere, leaving a community of more than 10,000 people without a supermarket after earlier vowing to build a new one.
New World Flaxmere said on Thursday night it would be closing in just over a month.
The lease for its ageing building in the heart of the suburb was up for renewal in March and Foodstuffs North Island had decided not to take it up because the building needed significant refurbishment.
The store will close on February 25.
Residents outside the supermarket today told Hawke’s Bay Today they were fuming at a decision that would leave the elderly and those without a driver’s licence particularly vulnerable.
A petition calling on Foodstuffs to change its mind already had more than 1000 signatures by midday.
Foodstuffs had initially vowed to rebuild in Flaxmere.
In 2022, Foodstuffs North Island received resource consent for a New World to be built on vacant behind the existing supermarket.
The 1900sq m supermarket was going to cost $21 million and would have access off Swansea Rd. But Foodstuffs pulled out last year, citing a changing economic environment.
Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said she received the “disappointing” news from Foodstuffs yesterday.
“With a population of 11,000-plus and many hundreds of homes being built, the area undoubtedly needs a supermarket,” she said.
“Our team continues to actively work on attracting another supermarket operator to Flaxmere.”
New World Flaxmere said it would work to support its team and help them into other roles with Pak’nSave, Four Square, and other New World stores.
Work on a massive $26m New World in nearby Havelock North continues.
Foodstuffs spokeswoman Emma Wooster said even with considerable investment in a refurbishment by the landlord, the Flaxmere building wouldn’t be brought up to the standard it wanted for its team and customers.
“Closing a store isn’t something we’d ever do lightly. Foodstuffs North Island . . . have a long and strong commitment to Hawke’s Bay communities and we want to give our strong reassurance that this hasn’t changed at all.”
Councillor’s reaction to supermarket closure: ‘Devastating’
Flaxmere councillor Henry Heke said Foodstuffs’ decision was “devastating for our community”.
“There are many whanau and elderly that will be impacted badly by this decision as for many they will now have to rely on public transport to get to supermarkets in Hastings. There could be a silver lining though as Flaxmere has a fast-growing population and council has developed land immediately behind the existing shopping centre that can cater for a new modern supermarket as well as other commercial premises.
“I will be working hard to ensure that this gets fast-tracked with any potential developer and supermarket chains. We must see this as a minor setback and a huge opportunity.”
Takitimu Ma¯ori Ward councillor Kellie Jessup said the supermarket was the “life force” of the suburb.
“It’s not just somewhere where you pick up kai, but it’s also the personal touch of our kaimahi in here because they know everybody here.”
Jessup said it hadn’t just been a business but a focal point. During Covid lockdown it became a beacon for the community.
Heke and Jessup said they would hold a public meeting tomorrow at 8.30am at the Kai Pai Cafe container in Flaxmere Park to talk about what could be done.
Age Concern Flaxmere chairwoman Lesley Hurrey said it was a “gutting loss” that would be felt throughout the suburb.