New World Victoria Park fire

The story so far

A major fire broke out at the New World Victoria Park supermarket in Freemans Bay, central Auckland, in mid-June 2025, while the store was undergoing renovations and a rebuild area was involved.^{17, 18 Jun 2025} At its peak the blaze involved up to 20 fire engines, and it took more than 10 hours to extinguish, after which crews handed the ruins back to owner Foodstuffs.^{17, 18 Jun 2025} Fire investigators believe the fire was accidental, and Foodstuffs said all stock inside would be removed and disposed of.^{19 Jun 2025} The store is expected to stay closed for two years, and about 180 staff roles were disestablished, with pay extended to 4 August.^{4, 9 Jul 2025} Foodstuffs plans to repair and rebuild the store on its current site, but a union said only just over 100 of the 180 workers had found jobs at other Foodstuffs stores by 1 August.^{22 Jul 2025; 1 Aug 2025}

What's next

Foodstuffs plans to repair and rebuild the Victoria Park store at its current site.^{22 Jul 2025} The Victoria Park store is expected to remain closed for two years.^{4 Jul 2025}

Key moments

1. 17 Jun 2025Major fire breaks out at New World Victoria Park; up to 20 fire engines attend.
2. 18 Jun 2025Fire took more than 10 hours to extinguish; ruins returned to Foodstuffs.
3. 19 Jun 2025Investigators believe the fire was accidental; stock to be disposed of.
4. 4 Jul 2025Pt Chevalier store brought forward three weeks; Victoria Park closed for two years.
5. 9 Jul 2025About 180 roles at Victoria Park disestablished; staff paid until 4 August.
6. 22 Jul 2025Foodstuffs announces plans to rebuild Victoria Park on its current site.
7. 1 Aug 2025Union concerned: only just over 100 of 180 workers rehired so far.
8. 19 Aug 2025New World Point Chevalier opens early; former Victoria Park staff find work there.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.