Media release
6 June 2003

Mayor welcomes major new retail development

A major milestone in the expansion of Manukau City Centre has been reached with the announcement of plans for a new retail development on farmland between the southern motorway and Great South Road.

Motorway users will have already noticed the extensive earthworks underway for construction of the first stage of the Telstra Clear Pacific Events Centre. Those earthworks are just the beginning.

The Warehouse has announced it will build its new flagship store alongside the Events Centre.

It will be the country's largest Warehouse with a floor area of 15,000m2. The site plans also include a hotel, gym, restaurants, offices and two educational institutions, along with residential accommodation.

Manukau City Council has approved the sale of the land as it realised the sale was a key milestone for development of the site.

Mayor Sir Barry Curtis says," This is a tremendous step forward. It shows great commitment to the future of the city. Once the various developments are complete, the location will become an attractive multi-purpose destination attracting large numbers of people.

"It's also another "first" for Manukau because this branch of the Warehouse will break the mould. It won't be just another big red shed. It's being designed architecturally to complement the distinctive design of the Events Centre, which has an iconic Pacific theme."

The first stage of the Events Centre will open in 2005. The complex will be unique in the Auckland region because it is not a sport-only venue. It will be suitable for all kinds of events and used every day to host concerts, sporting competitions, exhibitions, business conventions and important social occasions such as prize givings and award ceremonies.

Sir Barry says, "The Events Centre will also create many jobs and act as a catalyst for further development in the heart of Manukau City Centre.

"The Council has plans to bring in more nightlife, inner city housing, a tertiary institution and entertainment facilities to the zone and the Pacific Events Centre is an important part of those plans. We want to inject life and soul in the area, which is something it is currently lacking."

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