New Zealand home improvement chain Mitre 10 has opened a Mega store in Wanaka, in the South Island.

Located at Three Parks Business Centre, the Mitre 10 Mega store occupies a 28,000sqm area, housing a garden centre area, 220 car parks, Columbus cafe and a playground.

The store’s construction took 14 months despite the disruption of Covid-19 pandemic.

“It’s been a massive team effort that showcases the strength of our family business model and highlights the true spirit of cooperation and the power of the cooperative,” said Martin Dippie, co-owner and chairman of Mitre 10 New Zealand.

The mega store features sustainable technologies, including a photovoltaic solar array on the roof, electric vehicle charging stations and a recycling station that takes difficult-to-recycle materials such as soft plastics and polystyrene.

The company estimated about 5000 people have visited the store on its launch day.