26 | Mitre 10 Mega - Prestons T T Kim Newth Mega brand to open in Prestons “Despite the rise of online shopping, many customers still value the hands-on, destinationstyle experience these stores offer.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT New Zealand’s largest home improvement and garden retailer is responding to population growth and demand in north-eastern Christchurch, with a new Mitre 10 Mega store now nearing completion on Prestons Road. With a gross floor area of 10,335sqm, the new large-format retail store will be a welcome addition for the local community, providing a go-to destination for home DIY and garden projects, as well as meeting local building trade needs. Doors are due to open in the first quarter of 2026. While big in scale, Mitre 10 Mega stores are also trusted cornerstones of their communities. This latest tech-forward store will have a similar layout to other Mega stores in Christchurch, with all the popular offerings loved by Kiwis, including a dedicated drivethrough for trades/landscaping, a garden centre and a Columbus Coffee cafe – so people can combine shopping with a leisurely coffee break or brunch/lunch. There will be a large playground right by the cafe where the kids can play. “We expect the majority of the customers to come from Prestons, Marshlands, Burwood, Redwood and through to Kaiapoi,” says Tim Andrews, who has made a big contribution to Mitre 10 both in the city and at national board level over many years. “Despite the rise of online shopping, many customers still value the hands-on, destination-style experience these stores offer. The local market shows an ongoing appetite for physical retail spaces that deliver more than just products.” Exciting for the local area, too, are the employment and career opportunities being generated, with the new Mitre 10 Mega store looking to employ around 80 to 90 people. “We expect expressions of interest from people across Christchurch, but mainly from the east side,” Tim says. “We’re already in the early stages of recruitment for the management team. The response rate has been great, with a lot of talented candidates applying, both internally and externally.” Tim’s career with Mitre 10 started with the development of a Mitre 10 store in Moorhouse Avenue in 1992, followed by the purchase of Linwood Mitre 10 in 2005. Both were closed to open Mitre 10 Mega Ferrymead in 2007. Tim’s son Miles is also part of the Mitre 10 family – he will lead Mitre 10 Mega Prestons as the store’s member principal. Father and son also own and operate the Ferrymead Mega store. Tim remains a director of the business and recently retired from 18 years of service on the national Mitre 10 board. In the sphere of big-box retailing, Miles is fast making his mark having recently received the Mitre 10 (New Zealand) Ltd CEO Achievement Award, which recognises outstanding leadership and contribution to the business. His father received the same accolade in 2009. Delivering a large-format store like Mitre 10 Mega Prestons involves effective collaboration. In this instance, Mitre 10 (NZ) Ltd is the developer, the building is owned by PMG Funds, and it is being built by Tuatara Structures. Ferrymead Hardware will be the business operator. “We have a great working relationship with Tuatara Structures and are excited to see the progress they are making on site,” says Tim. Driving this new addition is population growth and redevelopment of the surrounding area. The new Mitre 10 Mega backs on to Prestons Park, now a very well-established suburb in its own right. The new Mega store is part of a larger planned shopping development, with various retail and tenancy options currently being explored. Meanwhile, the Mitre 10 Group has recently opened a Mega store in Christchurch’s Brougham Street, and is planning another store in Rolleston. Tim says the group is continually looking ahead and undertakes regular network studies of what the city will look like in 20 years’ time, and where potential opportunities will arise. COMMERCIAL | SPRUNG MODULAR RESIDENTIAL | CONCRETE YOUR PARTNER IN BUILDING SUCCESS enquiries@hmcconstruction.co.nz (03) 365 3303 hmcconstruction.co.nz @HMC Construction Trusted experts in commercial construction, residential builds, concrete & foundations. Innovative, reliable, and results-driven.
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