Base just gets bigger

Waikato's newest mall Te Awa opened this morning, making The Base one of the largest retail centres in New Zealand.

Tainui Group Holdings (TGH) has spent $120 million on Te Awa - the first stage of The Base's new centre. It has a total of 28 shops and was opened by Prime Minister John Key last night.

About 100 people were waiting outside the complex today to make the most of the first day sales when its doors opened at 9am.

The new mall will be one of New Zealand's largest employers when fully completed, providing 770 fulltime and 760 part-time jobs.

Stage two is expected to be open by the end of the year and will add a 40 further tenants including a foodcourt.

Stage three, which would include high-end food market Farro Fresh, is expected to be open by the discount designer handbags online first half of 2011 and the final stage, New Zealand's first all digital cinema complex run by Hoyts, is in the consent application stage.

Once completed, The Base will be New Zealand's largest retail centre covering 80,000 square metres of retailing space. It's nearest competitor, Auckland's Sylvia Park, covers 65,000sqm.

TGH chief executive Mike Pohio said the company had spent a substantial sum fighting the Hamilton City Council over Variation 21 which would have halted development at The Base.

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He said the company was committed to finishing the project to ensure returns for its shareholders. "If we were to stop the development it would hit at the heart of our role."

Concerns had been raised about traffic management in the area but Mr Pohio said the company was operating within traffic management guidelines set out in its resource consents.

He said The Base was serving a catchment of more than 300,000 shoppers, many who have been travelling to Auckland and Tauranga to shop. "We have attracted many retailers to the region and will continue to do so."

Farmers has signed on as Te Awa's anchor tenant. Farmers chief executive Rod McDermott said he was aware of the discussions about The Base versus the city centre and said Farmers was committed to remaining in central Hamilton.

There is speculation Farmers will move from its Alexandra St site to take on the anchor tenancy in Kiwi Income Property Trust's planned $40 million redevelopment of Centre Place and Downtown Plaza.

Mr McDermott said Farmers would now have 24,000sqm of retailing in Hamilton, including the expansion of its presence at Westfield Chartwell.

Huntly mother Trish Clarke was full of the flu but said she was determined to brave the fog and cold to attend.

"We came to town this way and have watched it develop. It's awesome," she said.

Her 16-year old son Ashton said he was impressed with Te Awa.

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"I'm here to support Te Awa and head to the Telecom shop."

Hamilton woman Shona Green came early this morning to "beat the rush" so she could exchange clothes at Hallensteins but she was looking forward to having a look around as well.

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