Dunedin Kmart to return after years of hours-long road trips
From reporter Sinead Gill:
It’s been years of rumour and six-hour return trips for locals looking for affordable home goods from Australian retail giant Kmart.
On Thursday, the company finally confirmed they would be returning to Dunedin.
The city was possibly the retailer’s biggest gap in the New Zealand market, according to Ben Smith, Kmart’s property group general manager.
“We’ve got a fantastic support base in Dunedin, it’s amazing, I’ve heard of customers driving to Invercargill just to shop at Kmart,” he said.
The city’s Kmart closed in 2020 after 23 years of operating in Meridian Mall in the CBD, citing earthquake risk concerns.
The mall closed during the March 2020 level 4 Covid-19 lockdown, then produced a seismic safety report showing it was too far below the new building standard.
Despite the mall not legally needing to strengthen the building for several years, Kmart chose not to renew its lease. Smiths City later moved into its old George St location.
Smiths City’s former site at 375 Andersons Bay Rd was now officially the site of the new Kmart.
The land was owned and would be developed by the Otago Land Group, and leased exclusively to Kmart.
Smith said the new Kmart would essentially be a completely new build. Developers would use the existing structure to speed up the construction process.
There was no estimated opening time, as the building consent was still being considered by the Dunedin City Council.
Smith said there would not be basement level car parking, nor would any additional land be leased to provide more parks.
He said the business had completed a traffic management plan and after many years in the business was “comfortable there is enough car parks”.
The new Kmart, located right beside a fleet of popular fast food chains, also had the benefit of “ample parking” around South Dunedin, he said.
Kmart Dunedin would employ over 100 staff from the community.
It was unclear how many staff lost their jobs in 2020. A Kmart spokesperson said they hoped former staff would apply for the new roles, though applications would be open to all.
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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4.7% Second half of November
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43.5% 1st December
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17.7% A week before Christmas
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33% Whenever you wish
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.9% Yes
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14.3% No
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2.8% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
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