Ikea will open its first New Zealand store on December 4.
That’s a Thursday three weeks before Christmas.
The announcement comes two years after Kiwi Property sold 3.2ha of land to the Swedish retailer in Auckland.
“It’s been quite a journey,” said Fabian Winterbine, Ikea Australia and New Zealand expansion manager.
“We announced back in 2019 that we were coming. We’re on the home stretch now and we’re super excited to bring Ikea here to all the people of New Zealand.”
The store will have 28 motorbike parking bays and electric vehicle (EV) chargers.
It will also have click-and-collect facilities and about 7500 products, the crowd at the announcement heard.
Ikea said it had tested multiple scenarios relating to traffic and would run trials to iron out any bottlenecks.
The food court will have 426 seats, and yes – Swedish meatballs are on the menu.
Ikea said the store was deploying numerous sustainability features.
The company said solar panels would generate 40% of the store’s energy needs.
Rainwater harvesting, insulation on all sides, LED lighting and a second-hand furniture buy-back programme will be in place.
Ikea said it had received 25,000 applications for its 500 job places.
The crowd heard the Auckland store would be the outlet furthest in the world away from Sweden.
“Today is a big day for Kiwis but it’s also a very big deal for all of us at Ikea around the world,” a company executive told the crowd.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Ikea’s arrival was genuinely exciting for New Zealand and a positive sign for foreign investment.
“It means more jobs.”
He also joked that Ikea would help young Kiwi couples.
“There’s nothing quite like assembling flat-pack together.”
Luxon told the Herald he first got acquainted with Ikea when he was a young adult flatting in London.
On a tour of the new store Luxon was told that every fortnight, 30 to 80 new workers started at Ikea.
The company had a global training scheme and some Auckland staff would receive training in Australia.
The shop will have living room, kitchen and bedroom installations and a children’s play area.
“We are piloting a new kitchen experience in New Zealand,” an Ikea staffer told the tour group.
The food court will have a view of Maungarei (Mt Wellington).
The store will also have a bistro offering hot dogs and cinnamon buns.
Luxon said the shop was a significant investment in New Zealand.
He said he hoped the Government’s commitment to reducing red tape in big development projects would encourage other large investments.
Ahead of the announcement, the PM met with Ikea representatives and with Kiwi Property chief executive Clive Mackenzie.
“Thank you for your support,” Mackenzie told him.
Mackenzie said the new store would make use of a new covered walkway for shoppers moving between the store and Sylvia Park mall.
Auckland Swedish folk music band The Swedish Bandits are playing.
Ikea has also provided samples of Scandinavian cuisine, especially dairy and fish dishes.
Dishes on display today include gravlax cured salmon and aged cheese quiche.
The Ngāti Pāoa iwi opened the event.
The crowd heard the tribe was eager to work on the “Swiwi” (Swedish-Kiwi) partnership.
The store is about the same size as three rugby fields.
Ikea operates in 31 other countries and on Monday announced a network of 29 pick-up points nationwide.
The collaboration will mean NZ Post handles smaller parcels such as accessories and soft furnishings, while Mainfreight will move bulkier items such as bookcases and sofas.
Mainfreight will also deliver door-to-door and under its “Mainfreight 2Home” offer will take heavier items into people’s homes if that was the preferred option.