Customers have been evacuated from New World at Auckland CBD’s Victoria Park after a fire.
The Auckland supermarket which caught ablaze today is owned by one of the top 25 supermarket owners in New Zealand and undergoing an upgrade.
New World Victoria Park at 2 College Hill, Freemans Bay is one of New Zealand’s most profitable stores, in the wealthy Herne Bay/St Mary’s Bay/Ponsonbyarea.
Large building business Savory Construction has the contract to upgrade the popular store, owned by Steve Purton.
But this morning, the store was emitting thick black smoke.
Frightened shoppers said an alarm sounded and they fled, abandoning their trolleys. People were told to avoid the area and residents were asked to close their windows and stay indoors.
Steve Purton owns New World Victoria Park in Auckland.
That said that after 18 years owning New World Birkenhead, Steve and Jasmine Purton had sold that store and bought New World Victoria Park, “one of the country’s most profitable supermarkets”.
Companies Office records today show First in Food, incorporated in 2020, trades as New World Victoria Park. Its sole director is listed as Stephen Purton, whose address is the same as the supermarket’s.
Firefighters at the scene of the New World, Victoria Park fire. Photo / Dean Purcell
Shareholding is split two ways: 99.9% owned by W R Trustees and the remainder owned by Stephen Purton.
Auckland Council has a $54m value on the land and buildings on the site for rating purposes.
Property records show 2 College Hill is owned by The National Trading Company of New Zealand, one of the many Foodstuffs entities.
So although Purton owns the operations of the supermarket, the property is owned by a Foodstuffs entity.
Smoke continues to billow out from the New World Supermarket. Photo / Jason Dorday
The company bought the store from Jason Witehira, who bought Pak’nSave Albany from the Blackwells.
Purton is reportedly a keen sailor who sponsored the Richmond Yacht Club and other community projects.
Auckland Central MP and Greens co-leader Chloe Swarbrick has also noted his connection with Auckland City Mission, with deliveries of food and other essentials that would otherwise have gone to waste.
Greens co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Writing in Ponsonby News, Swarbrick said she was privileged to go “behind-the-scenes” with Steve Purton of New World Victoria Park.
“We had a fulsome discussion with valuable insight into supply-chain issues, the Commerce Commission’s report and potential solutions to escalating prices.”
Savory Construction won the contract to upgrade the store.
The Herald today reported that workers assembled outside the supermarket.
Savory Construction managing director Daniel Clark said all its workers were safe.
“Everyone’s out, everyone’s accounted for.“
Anne Gibson has been the Herald‘s property editor for 25 years, written books and covered property extensively here and overseas.
