Since unveiling detailed plans for its new Mānawa Bay outlet centre last month, Auckland Airport has shared its vision for the centre’s unique food and beverage offering. 

“There will be a range of culinary options on offer,” says Mark Thomson, Auckland Airport’s GM, property and commercial. 

“This will be a special place. Shoppers will browse their favourite brands and can then dine in a spacious indoor dining setting that adjoins an alfresco dining area overlooking the water.

“We are building Mānawa Bay on grounds that were once home to a golf course, with large well-established trees and it’s surrounded by the Manakau Harbour,” he says.

Situated on an inlet of the Manukau Harbour at the north-eastern edge of the airport precinct, it will enjoy easy access to New Zealand’s largest, and Australasia’s third-busiest airport in a relaxing park-like setting with outdoor spaces within the estuary location.

Set to open in 2024, the 100-store, $200 million centre aspires to be New Zealand’s premium purpose-built outlet shopping destination.

With a retail offering in sought-after premium fashion, athleisure, lifestyle and homeware brands, Mānawa Bay will provide a quality range of cafe, casual dining and fast service sites in a central dining precinct and selected locations within the centre.

In te reo Māori, Mānawa means mangroves – a coastal plant species that provides a habitat for native birds and fish.

Thomson says the design of Manawa Bay aims to take advantage of its unique location and aspect – surrounded by green spaces and water. 

Diners in the food and beverage precinct in particular will enjoy being surrounded by large north-facing windows in a space that is easily navigated from the figure-of-eight layout.

Close to motorways and main arterial routes, the centre is 25 minutes from Auckland CDB* and just four minutes from the airport’s terminals.

As an industry leader in real estate development, Auckland Airport has managed in excess of $3.2 billion of commercial real estate and sees this development as an extension of the unique commercial environment on its campus.

Thomson says the airport is creating an experience that is both premium and true to its New Zealand roots. 

“We want Kiwis to enjoy an unrivalled shopping experience. We’ve leveraged the design of Mānawa Bay to take advantage of the space and environment and we want to complement that with the best food and beverage providers. We invite expressions of interest in this next phase.”

(*Targeted for opening.)