19 Aug 2025

Fire-destroyed New World employees find work at new supermarket

3:38 pm on 19 August 2025
Fire at New World Victoria Park

New World Victoria Park employed roughly 180 people. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi

Dozens of former workers at an Auckland New World which was destroyed in a blaze in July are back serving customers with a new supermarket opening.

Owner Matt Mullins moved up to Auckland from Otaki to run the new New World in Point Chevalier, with customers able to shop for the first time on Tuesday morning.

"Over 60 of the team from Vic Park have joined us and they've added tremendous value to our team."

He said the store's opening was pulled forward a few weeks after the fire.

"We were able to open a full six weeks ahead of schedule.

"The construction team did a great job, so the opening was pulled forward three weeks and then after the fire at Vic Park, another three weeks."

New World Victoria Park employed roughly 180 people who received their last paychecks at the beginning of this month.

RNZ previously reported that just over 100 affected staff had found work at other Foodstuffs supermarkets.

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