Mini pops along to Newmarket

Mini's pop-up shop on Ponsonby Rd has received plenty of attention. Photo / Supplied

A growing product range has brought a change in location for Mini in Auckland, one which will see the popular brand shift from the current pop-up store in Ponsonby to new premises in Newmarket.

"With any expanding family there comes a time when there is a need to upsize the home, and this is what is happening with Mini," says Mini New Zealand brand manager Simonne Mearns.

"We have loved being in Ponsonby and it's been a great success in terms of bringing a little of Mini's extroverted and cheeky style to the streets of central Auckland.

"However, when we launched the temporary pop-up site there were only a handful of models in the range and now, following the launch of Countryman and more recently Coupe and Roadster, there is a need for Mini to move into a bigger location."

The Mini Garage in Ponsonby will remain operational until September 23, after which the team will move into their new venue and throw a housewarming when they reopen later that week.

"We're sad to be leaving Ponsonby, but we know Mini will inject the same style, fun and flair to the new location," Mearns says.

The new Mini premises will be on the Broadway strip and closer to the Mini Service Centre at Team McMillan on Great South Rd.

While the new site is a more permanent structure compared with the original pop-up location in Ponsonby, Mini hasn't ruled out another move in the future.

"It would be ideal to be able to include an on-site service facility, but the close vicinity to Team McMillan currently satisfies this requirement," Mearns says.

"However, if the past couple of years are anything to go by, I anticipate there will be a number of fresh new Mini models due for launch so there might well be another move to an even bigger site."