$6 million refurbishment underway at New World Ōtaki

New World Ōtaki owner-operator Raj Singh says a major refurbishment of the store is well underway, with more than $6 million being invested by Foodstuffs North Island to ensure the supermarket continues to meet the needs of the local community for decades to come. 

Work on the project began in July 2025 and is due to be completed in April 2026. 

Raj says: “The store was built 30 years ago, and we want it to still be serving Ōtaki in another 30 years.  This investment is about setting the store up for the long term and making sure customers have a better, easier and more wonderful shopping experience.” 

One of the biggest changes customers may not immediately notice is a significant back-of-house extension, expanding the store by 174 square metres. 

Raj says: “That extra space gives us more room for storage and will let us expand our Click & Collect area.  It means we’ll be able to put online orders together more efficiently and get them ready faster.” 

To improve safety in the car park, Foodstuffs North Island, the co-operative of family grocers behind the North Island’s New World, PAK’nSAVE and Four Square stores, bought a neighbouring property to create a new, dedicated and fully separated delivery access way. 

“This creates a much safer environment for customers coming and going,” Raj says. 

Inside the store, all refrigeration has been replaced with modern CO₂ systems, reducing the store’s carbon footprint and providing great energy efficiency.  New refrigeration cases have been installed across produce, butchery, deli, seafood and frozen foods. 

Customers will also see new shelving throughout the store, along with a new air conditioning system designed to keep temperatures consistent year-round. 

“We’re freshening up the main entrance as well, and over the next few weeks the Lotto kiosk will be reconfigured,” Raj says. 

The flooring is also getting a full upgrade, with the old white vinyl tiles being replaced by a modern polished concrete floor. 

Behind the scenes, the fresh food preparation areas are being upgraded, including new flooring, a new bakery oven and other updated equipment to support the team’s day-to-day operations. 

Raj says: “Ōtaki deserves the best shopping experience we can offer.  I’m here to help create a store that meets the needs of the community, now and into the future.”