Boxing Day sales kick off

Photo / Richard Robinson.

The promise of a Boxing Day bargain has pulled New Zealanders out to the shopping malls in their thousands.

Westfield Albany was packed with shoppers getting deals on electronics, clothing, home ware and footwear.

Cars were parked on footpaths and berms on roads neighbouring the mall.

Platypus Footwear boasted "up to 70 per cent on selected styles", Glassons said shoppers would receive up to 50 per cent off, and Stevens Homeware had 40 per cent off some brands.

However, some shoppers were disappointed the sales weren't across all shops.

In Christchurch, malls have been invaded by thousands of shoppers out for a bargain, with people lining up before they even opened.

Westfield Riccarton's centre manager Helen Ronald says even the Boxing Day test match doesn't seem to have affected their sales this morning.

She says it's a crazy day for everyone in retail today.

"Most stores have full staff levels today," she says.

"They keep their Christmas staff through, most of them need the extra staff."