American wholesaler Costco is seeking to fast-track the opening of its Christchurch store, which would be its second in the country and first on the South Island.

The company is seeking permission to build a 16,090sqm mixed-use site, around half of which would be used for retail. The development would include its members-only fuel service and would require the adjustment of roads in the area.

Costco wants to occupy sites on Memorial Avenue, Avonhead Road and Russley Road. 

“A referral application is a request for the minister to consider whether a project should enter the fast-track approvals process,” Minister of Conservation, Tama Potaka, said in a statement. 

Under the Fast Track Approvals Act 2024 (FTAA), the government expresses interest in fast-tracking planning applications that lessen competition in the supermarket sector.

This would be done by reducing market concentration, enabling scalable competition, supporting multi-site expansion or providing footholds for new competitors.

Costco’s Christchurch wider planning application is not yet approved, although the fast-track process has been granted.

It comes four years after the $100 million investment in the opening of its Auckland Westgate store. Costco New Zealand managed to post its first profit in fiscal 2025 after three years of operation, following $385 million in revenue for the year.

Costco is also planning to open its second Auckland store in Drury.