For immediate release

6 April, 2006

Westfield Pakuranga and The Warehouse celebrate the opening of new Warehouse store extension

The Warehouse today opened the new extension to its store located at Westfield Pakuranga. The department store has grown in size to 7,000 m2, and now offers shoppers an even greater range of goods and services, including a green garden section, extended apparel and footwear department, and a bigger entertainment and technology section full of the latest TVs, DVD players and top CDs and DVDs.

The store extension forms part of Westfield’s $14 million investment in its Pakuranga shopping centre, designed to enhance the food, fashion and shopping experience for the local community.

Westfield’s plans for the centre include the integration of three independent retail areas - The Warehouse, Pakuranga Galleria, and the Westfield Pakuranga shopping centre. The expansion of The Warehouse plays an important part in the integration of the centre, by providing a direct link to the recently revamped Aylesbury Street which connects the three retail areas together.

Aylesbury Street is the centre piece of the Westfield development, providing shoppers and visitors with a true “high street” experience. Lined with an array of colourful canopies complemented by creative landscaping, it has been upgraded with ten new stores and new fit-outs for several existing retail stores.

“Westfield congratulates The Warehouse on the successful opening of its new extension,” said Linda Trainer, National Marketing and Communications Manager, Westfield NZ. “We are delighted to support the ongoing development of The Warehouse and are confident the new store will enhance the shopping experience for residents and visitors to the area.”

Mr James Masterton, Store Manager of The Warehouse Pakuranga, said that the extension provides the local community with the full Warehouse retail offering.

“The expanded footprint of our new store allows us to introduce a much broader range of The Warehouse products and services. We look forward to contributing to the success of Westfield Pakuranga and are thrilled to be able to offer even more products at bargain prices to the people of Pakuranga.”

The Warehouse Pakuranga was one of the first Warehouse stores in Auckland, opening in April 1994.

“The expanded Warehouse store and new-look Aylesbury Street are a pivotal focus for the Pakuranga Township providing convenient shopping complemented by under cover parking. The development greatly reinforces Westfield Pakuranga’s position as a prime community regional shopping centre for the town and its visitors. It has also created a real focal point for the local community,” said Ms Trainer.

Westfield Pakuranga hosts three major retailers, Farmers, Foodtown and The Warehouse, as well as 94 retail stores, specialty shops and kiosks together with 1,485 car parks, of which 320 are undercover.

About the opening celebrations3

The Warehouse extension opening is being celebrated with a variety of entertainment and in-store offers for customers. The Warehouse will have a number of offers available exclusively for customers at its Pakuranga store, including discounted meals from a variety of food retailers at Westfield Pakuranga.

The in-store entertainment will include activities for children, including an appearance by Dorothy the Dinosaur, during 3pm – 6pm on Thursday 6 April, and Dora the Explorer during 12 (Noon) – 3pm on Saturday 8 April.

ENDS