Auckland’s first Green Star supermarket to open by Christmas

(Source: Supplied.)

Countdown says it will open its first Green Star store in Auckland by this Christmas, in the new Waiata Shores development in Manukau. 

As a Green Star development, the supermarket has been designed, built and will operate in an environmentally conscious way that meets international Green Star-certification standards.  

The $30 million, 4200sqm store will be located at the heart of the new Fletcher Living development which will have more than 700 homes.  Countdown opened New Zealand’s first Green Star supermarket in Richmond in June this year.

Features of the new Auckland store under the Green Star program include: 

  • Solar panels that will generate 10-15 per cent of the store’s total energy. 
  • Transcritical refrigeration systems that use natural refrigerant gases.
  • LED lighting which is 35-per-cent more efficient than traditional lighting. 
  • Water-saving taps.
  • An Energy Management System, which provides regular updates on store energy and water use. 
  • Doors on fridges and freezers to reduce energy use. Every 10 doors saves enough energy to power a New Zealand home for a year.
  • Digital shelf labels to reduce paper use.
  • EV chargers for customer cars.
  • More bike parks linked with local cycleways to help encourage biking and reduce short car trips to the supermarket.

Countdown’s director of property, Matt Grainger, says modern-day construction has a responsibility to leave a lighter footprint on the planet. 

“Auckland’s growth means that we have to continually invest in our store network but it doesn’t mean that we have to do things the way they’ve always been done. We love the ethos behind Waiata Shores and we’re proud to be opening a store here that has been specifically designed to have a lower environmental impact for the community, and be fit for the future as the area grows.”

Andrew Eagles, CEO of the New Zealand Green Building Council says great green buildings use less water, have less carbon pollution, and are often better ventilated and lit, helping to make them healthier, nicer places for New Zealanders. 

“We’re really looking forward to seeing Countdown continuing to build proven green buildings by rolling out Green Star around Aotearoa.”

Grainger says Countdown is working to achieve ambitious sustainability goals by 2025, including 4 Green Star ‘as-built’ rating for all of its new property developments, and a 5 Green Star minimum standard by 2025.  

“Our new Waiata Shores store is an important step towards that goal, and while it’s not simple or cheap to meet Green Star standards,  it’s an investment we need to make,” he says. 

Meanwhile, the new Countdown Waiata Shores supermarket will also include a drive-up option for online order pick up, an in-store Countdown Pharmacy, an extensive fresh produce range, an in-store bakery, deli and wine cellar. 

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