The closure of a Hawke’s Bay community’s only supermarket has left locals frustrated and isolated. However, the council is hoping to attract a new development to service the town of around 11,000 people.
Flaxmere finds itself at a crossroads as its only supermarket, New World, shut its doors permanently this week.
The closure unveiled a complex web of disputes among Foodstuffs North Island, the building owner, and the Hastings Council.
In 2021, Foodstuffs had committed to building a new $21 million supermarket on a vacant block beside the former New World. However, the sale of the land fell through last year, prompting the council to seek alternative options for a supermarket development in the area.
The community is now advocating for an urgent permanent solution, urging larger supermarket chains to consider Flaxmere’s needs.
Retired Flaxmere resident Teawhina McGregor shared the sentiment echoed by many in the community as one of shock and disbelief.
“When I first heard about it, I went, ‘whaaaat, you whaaat?’ and then I went, ‘oh my god, these people, what sort of decision is that?'”
The closure has left the growing community of Flaxmere frustrated as it explores temporary support options for those unable to travel.
This week one Initiative to help support the community has been a weekly van ride by Age Concern Flaxmere, which reluctantly charges $10 a trip to help cover costs.
Age Concern Flaxmere’s Lesley Hurrey acknowledged the impact on vulnerable groups, emphasising the importance of having a supermarket in the region that had been a staple for the community for over 45 years.
“There’s a lot of elderly and we focus on them, but there’s also a lot of solo mums, there’s generally a lot of people without cars,” Hurrey said.
“It’s amazing the amount of people who relied on the supermarket when it was here.”
Hurrey’s message to the bigger supermarkets was simple: “Flaxmere needs you.”
A statement from Foodstuffs North Island, the co-operative behind New World, PAK’nSAVE, and Four Square, shed light on their decision, citing a lack of commitment from the landlord for necessary upgrades.
It claimed discussions about building improvements took place over several years, yet the landlord failed to meet the co-operative’s standards, leading to the decision not to renew the lease.
But the building owner countered Foodstuffs’ statements, emphasising a strong relationship and significant alterations made to the building in late 2020 and early 2021. According to the building owner, discussions for further investment were ongoing after the cancellation of a planned supermarket project in April 2023.
They expressed surprise at Foodstuffs’ mid-January 2024 announcement that the lease would not be renewed.
The Hastings Council, represented by Mayor Sandra Hazelhurst, assured the community that active efforts were underway to attract developers, food chains, and private independent companies interested in building and running a new supermarket in Flaxmere.
Mayor Hazelhurst highlighted available land zoned for commercial use behind the shopping centre, deeming it ideal for a supermarket-centred development.
As Flaxmere seeks a permanent solution, the collaboration between the community, local businesses, and authorities becomes essential.