New Woolworths supermarket opens in Halswell
Thursday 1 October 2026 · 2 outlets · 3 reports · updated In this story Woolworths New Zealand
A new Woolworths supermarket has opened at 201 Halswell Road in Christchurch following a decade of delays and legal processes. The store is part of a larger 22-hectare commercial and residential development. This location is the first in New Zealand to offer pre-packaged fresh foods instead of a traditional deli.
Key facts
5 facts
- Woolworths opened a new supermarket in Halswell, Christchurch, on a Thursday morning.
- The store is 3490 square metres and contains 14 aisles and 10 self-checkouts.
- The site is part of a 22-hectare commercial and residential development.
- Woolworths purchased the site in 2016 for $23.2 million.
- The development includes a new major intersection and extensive ground improvement work.
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
A new Woolworths supermarket has opened in Halswell, Christchurch, serving the rapidly growing southwest suburb. The store opened just after 7am on Thursday morning.
The 3490-square-metre facility features 14 aisles and 10 self-checkouts. It is the first Woolworths in New Zealand to operate without a traditional over-the-counter deli, instead providing pre-packaged fresh foods.
The development is the first stage of a 22-hectare commercial and residential precinct. This wider development is expected to include up to 250 homes.
The project faced significant delays, with resource consent applications dating back to 2017. The development went through the Environment Court and cost approximately $3 million in consenting hurdles over four years.
How it developed
- Thu 1 Oct, 12:31pmThe store opened ahead of the original schedule and under budget according to Woolworths property director Matthew Grainger.
Where reports differ
- One report states the store size is 3490 square metres, while another reports it is 3800 square metres.
- The total development area is described as 21 hectares in one report and 22 hectares in another.
Compiled from reports by Stuff and The Press.