IKEA in Auckland

On 4th December 2025, IKEA’s first New Zealand store officially opened. After years of Kiwi demand, they found a location (Mt Wellington, back of Sylvia Park) and started their build.

IKEA did their research properly.

I was one of 500 people/homes that was visited by their Market Research team. I remember that day well! Five highly intelligent, highly curious women pored over every part of my apartment, asking all the questions.

I like to think I contributed to their success.

Two years later, I received an email invitation to join IKEA’s ‘friends and family’ opening. This took place on December 1st. I queued up under the hot Auckland sun with 100’s of other very excited people as the IKEA team managed a controlled entry.

We got to see the store. To experience the genius retail design and flow. To experience the journey IKEA takes you on.

I was delighted to see that it is a true IKEA experience, not the traditional half-assed approach taken by some when they open in New Zealand.

I enjoyed the meatballs.

I note that many of my compatriots have complained about the meatballs (I guess we are spoiled for quality meat options in this country so have quite high standards). Apparently I don’t have any standards. I quite enjoyed the gravy.

Remember, it’s a foodcourt - not fine dining.

Part of the deal of this pre-entry was to help IKEA stress-test a full store evacuation. It went seamlessley. They had great team controls and coordination in place, and it all worked very well from where I was observing. Of course the evacuation was initiated just as I was about to pay for my lunch… Oh well.

I picked up where I left off on my return indoors.

My thoughts all up? I’m so happy IKEA is finally here. It is everything I hoped for and will be a regular visit for me.

I don’t actually need to buy anything - I just like the shopping experience!

^SJD