1 October 2026
Woolworths’ largest supermarket development in the South Island has finally opened its doors, with customers now walking the aisles of Woolworths Halswell.

The new store and retail spaces are the first stage of a 22 hectare commercial and residential development. It took more than four years and $3 million to get resource consent for the project.

“This development has been an unusually complicated one, and not simply because of the protracted planning process. We’ve had to partner with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi to build a new major intersection on SH75 (Halswell Road) and we had to undertake extensive ground improvement works. Despite all that, we’ve opened ahead of the original schedule and under budget, so massive thanks are due to the entire project team. We’re just thrilled to finally have customers into this beautiful new store,” said Matthew Grainger, Woolworths’ Director of Property.

Formally opening the store, Banks Peninsula MP Vanessa Weenink said “for local families this opening means more choice and greater convenience, more options closer to home for that weekly shop, dinner options, or the ingredients you remember you need when you’re halfway through cooking. And when households are watching every dollar, choice really matters.”

The development includes a 3,800 m² supermarket and retail space with 233 car parking spaces including four electric vehicle charging stations, plus “direct to boot” facilities for online customers to pick up their groceries. Ten specialty retail tenancies will be opening soon.

Fletcher Living is developing the adjoining

Harakeke Halswell residential development, after purchasing the land from Woolworths and delivering key infrastructure across the site. 

“This has been a huge undertaking for us, and we’re really looking forward to seeing new housing grow around the store, bringing an even more vibrant feel to Halswell. We think today’s opening is a big step forward for the community and it’s also an exciting opportunity for future commercial tenants,” said Matthew Grainger.

The store opening featured a blessing from mana whenua Ngāi Tūāhuriri, cultural performances from nearby Oaklands School and a ‘trolley dash’ for Kairos Food Rescue, just before the store opened to customers.

The trolley dash raised $1250 when offered as a prize at Kairos’ recent Glammed Up fundraising event.  Winning bidders Jeremy and Hannah Kelleher of Kelleher Real Estate gave it to Kairos volunteer Bailey Mulqueen who is a new mum.

“It was stressful but I’m absolutely stoked with what I got. I’m absolutely rapt and honoured to be given this,” said Bailey Mulqueen.

The first customers were local couple Steven Darnold and Helen Angus who bought a single broccoli before going back for more.

“We’re thrilled it’s here because we’ll be able to walk here. We had to take the bus into Church Corner before,” said Steven Harwood.

Halswell is the first of three South Island Woolworths stores to open during the current financial year.

“After Halswell we’ve got Faringdon - that’s our second store in Rolleston -  and then we’ll have our Wānaka Three Parks store. We’ve also got West Melton coming, and all this is on top of the recent huge expansion of our Christchurch Regional Distribution Centre. We think this is a real vote of confidence in the South Island/Te Wai Pounamu and wee’re looking forward to bringing more grocery competition to these communities,” said Matthew Grainger.