Manawa Bay

"The only thing worse than starting something and failing… is not starting something." – Seth Godin

Auckland Airport, Aotearoa, New Zealand, is spreading its wings. Manawa Bay, 7 minutes from Auckland International Airport, is its latest development. Just another shopping mall, one may say, why would I be interested when other malls are available. Understandably from a commercial perspective Auckland Airport is following a proven model that has been successful for other international airports, including Vancouver and Brisbane.

Personal Perspective

I visited Manawa Bay on its opening day. As expected on an opening day the mall was absolutely packed with people. I had watched the development happening weekly on every visit I made to JKs World of Golf, the driving range, a next-door neighbour. It’s unbelievable watching the transformation from empty land to the finished mall.

Progress over the two years of development was very noticeable. A month before the opening date, I wondered if it could open in time. Activity around the mall increased significantly in that month, the most obvious change was in the landscaping and sealing the carparking. That last stage was stunning to behold, on a skyscraper the building is complete when a spire capped, the landscaping and sealed car parking was the cap for Manawa Bay. Manawa Bay looked magnificent.

What is Available?

2000 carparks with the capacity increasing to 4 thousand plus, during weekends when demand is expected to be at its highest. Bus services provided to getting people to the international and domestic terminals. Manawa Bay is a fashion outlet centre within airport environments. 90 stores are open with more registered to come on board to a complete capacity of 118. Brands familiar to Kiwis include Barkers, Rodd & Gunn, Calvin Klein, Nike and Tommy Hilfiger. Lindt, Timeless Watches, Guess are some of the newcomers to Aotearoa.

Lindt chocolates outlet and the food hall were the most popular on the opening day and on the second visit I made 5 days later. A big plus for Manawa Bay is the large outside children’s play area, for parents, it can be viewed easily from the food hall. The view from the food hall makes this mall unique. There is so much green surrounding the play area, it hints at the farming origins of what is now airport land.

Why Manawa Bay?

Is ideal for people travelling in and out of Auckland. Manawa Bay caters for people who have a bit of time between stopovers. Travellers who have less time, 2 hours or more, the regular bus service running at 10 or 15-minute intervals will have you back at your terminal ready to go. Distracted at the mall, a taxi will get you there in no time.

Golfers head to the driving range up the road a bit, while your partner shops. Better still at the range, expend some energy or loosen up those tight muscles after a long flight, then head to Manawa Bay for refreshment.

So many reasons to visit Auckland, Aotearoa, New Zealand, add the unique Manawa Bay to your list, even if you are just passing through, to wherever your life leads you.