New World Taumarunui has opened its doors after 15 months of trading from the local Athletics Club.

After a $14 million investment, the new store is 40 per cent larger and features a new design, additional technology, and a wider product range for locals.

Aiyad Khan, the owner-operator of New World Taumarunui, has led the rebuild, with assistance from Foodstuffs North Island and the New World Taumarunui team.

“When my family and I came to Taumarunui in 2020, we knew a new store was in the pipeline,” said Khan. 

“It was only due to the support of the community that we were able to move into the Athletics Club and keep trading. Arriving in town during a global pandemic was a  great way to connect with the locals. We had teachers from Turaki Primary School across the road helping us stack shelves in the athletics club so we could open for business and the whole community reached out.”  

Foodstuffs North Island is now showing its appreciation to the community by refurbishing the Athletics Club building.

With a focus on freshness and convenience, the new store has been redesigned to meet the demands of the local community. It has a wider selection of fresh produce, as well as an upgraded bakery, deli, butchery, seafood counter, and frozen foods section. Customers can also purchase sushi, fried bread, hāngī pork, and pigs heads.

The store also has a commissioned 5m tara carving named ‘Nau Mai Ki Te Ao Hou,’ which depicts the Maori food gods. The store has six self-checkouts and parking for 98 cars.

Further reading: Foodstuffs’ newest New World saves locals a 45-minute grocery run.