Southmall Manurewa
Southmall Manurewa is a shopping centre in Manurewa, Auckland, New Zealand.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Southmall Manurewa is a shopping centre in Manurewa, a suburb of Auckland located approximately 24.7 kilometres south of Auckland's central business district. It was conceived during a period of population growth in Manurewa and increasing industrial activity in nearby Wiri. The centre was intended to provide an American-style suburban shopping destination and became one of Auckland's earliest major enclosed or planned retail complexes. The development was undertaken by London-based Hammerson Property & Investment Trust, whose earlier Auckland project, LynnMall, had helped establish the suburban shopping-centre format in the region. Southmall was confirmed as a project in May 1964, its foundation stone was laid on 18 March 1965, and the centre opened on 22 February 1967. At opening it contained more than 100,000 square feet of retail space. Farmers occupied approximately one-fifth of the complex, while Woolworths, New World, Bond & Bond and numerous specialist retailers gave the centre a broad department-store, grocery, household-goods and convenience-oriented offer. The centre expanded in 1970 with the development of the Maple Home Furnishing Centre at its southern end. Its competitive position changed substantially after Manukau City Centre opened less than five kilometres away in October 1976. Southmall subsequently faced pressure from the larger and more modern regional mall, as well as from the gradual movement of national chain retailers to other locations. A major remodelling and extension in 1987 transformed Southmall into an enclosed shopping centre. Sunday trading began on 7 July 1991, reflecting broader changes in New Zealand retail practices and consumer habits. Ownership and property structure also changed over time. In 1992 the centre was marketed with four major retailers, 38 specialty shops and a reported occupancy rate of 99 percent. In 1994, the then-owner Ladstone Properties divided the complex into 20 strata-title properties and auctioned them individually. This created a more fragmented ownership structure than that of a single-owner regional mall. Southmall remains closely connected to Manurewa's local transport network. On 20 July 2006, Manurewa railway station moved to a site behind the shopping centre, and a bus interchange opened beside the station on the same day. The relocation improved the physical relationship between the mall, rail services and Auckland's bus network. In the twenty-first century, Southmall has generally been associated with local and community retailing rather than with the scale or luxury positioning of nearby regional malls. A bar operating in the centre attracted attention in 2008 after introducing topless waitresses. In 2016, the centre was nominated in media coverage as one of New Zealand's 'saddest' malls, with criticism focusing on limited development, an uninviting atmosphere and competition from the nearby Westfield Manukau complex. The large Norfolk pine outside the main entrance remains an important local landmark. The tree was planted around 1911, illuminated by Manurewa Borough Council as a Christmas attraction from 1950, and later became associated with a cross placed near its top during Queen Elizabeth II's first visit to New Zealand in 1953.
History
Southmall's origins lie in the suburban expansion of Auckland during the 1960s. Manurewa was experiencing population growth and was close to the industrial areas of Wiri, making it a logical location for a substantial retail development. Plans for an American-style shopping centre were developed in the early part of the decade, and the project was confirmed in May 1964. The developer was Hammerson Property & Investment Trust, a London-based property company that had already developed LynnMall, Auckland's first major shopping mall. Southmall became Auckland's third major mall after LynnMall and Pakuranga Town Centre. The foundation stone was laid on 18 March 1965. Southmall opened on 22 February 1967 with more than 100,000 square feet of retail space. Its tenant mix combined large national retailers with smaller specialty shops. Farmers occupied around 20 percent of the retail area, and Woolworths, New World, Bond & Bond and other chains gave the centre a substantial department-store, grocery and household-goods presence. In 1970, the Maple Home Furnishing Centre was added at the southern end of the complex. The competitive environment became more difficult after Manukau City Centre opened in October 1976, less than five kilometres away. The newer and larger centre offered a stronger regional draw and contributed to pressure on Southmall. By the early 1990s, some chain retailers had begun leaving. Even so, Southmall continued to serve a local customer base and was reported in 1992 to have four major retailers, 38 specialty shops and 99 percent occupancy. The centre underwent extensive remodelling and extension in 1987, after which it operated as an enclosed mall. It began Sunday trading on 7 July 1991, adapting to changing retail regulations and shopping patterns. Property ownership was reorganised in 1994, when Ladstone Properties divided the centre into 20 strata-title properties and sold them individually at auction. This structure distinguished Southmall from the consolidated ownership model common to larger shopping-centre developments. Transport infrastructure became an important part of the centre's setting in 2006. Manurewa railway station was moved to a location behind Southmall on 20 July, while a bus interchange opened beside the new station. The arrangement connected the retail centre with Auckland's rail and bus networks and strengthened its role as part of the local town centre. Southmall's later public image has been mixed. A bar in the centre drew attention in 2008 for introducing topless waitresses. In 2016, coverage placed Southmall among New Zealand's less successful-looking or 'saddest' malls, pointing to a perceived lack of investment and an atmosphere described as uninviting and dangerous, while noting the appeal of the nearby Westfield Manukau complex. Despite these criticisms, Southmall continued as a local shopping facility. Its identity is also tied to the mature Norfolk pine outside the main entrance. Planted around 1911, the tree was used as a Christmas attraction from 1950 and became associated with a cross installed during Queen Elizabeth II's 1953 visit to New Zealand.
- 2006
Manurewa transport interchange opens behind Southmall
[1]Manurewa railway station moved behind the mall on 20 July, and a bus interchange opened alongside it.
- 1994
Strata-title sale
[1]Ladstone Properties divided the centre into 20 strata-title properties and auctioned them individually.
- 1992
Centre marketed with high occupancy
[1]Southmall was put on the market with four major retailers, 38 specialty shops and a reported 99 percent occupancy rate.
- 1991
Sunday trading begins
[1]Southmall began Sunday trading on 7 July.
- 1987
Major remodelling and enclosure
[1]Southmall was extensively remodelled and extended, becoming an enclosed shopping centre.
- 1985
Southmall creche closes
[1]The centre's creche was closed because retailers did not provide sufficient support for its continuation.
- 1976
Manukau City Centre opens nearby
[1]The opening of the larger Manukau City Centre, less than five kilometres away, intensified competition for shoppers.
- 1970
Maple Home Furnishing Centre added
[1]A home-furnishing centre was developed at Southmall's southern end.
- 1967
Southmall opens
[1]Southmall opened on 22 February with more than 100,000 square feet of retail space and a mix of major chains and specialty stores.
- 1965
Foundation stone laid
[1]The foundation stone for the shopping centre was laid on 18 March.
Products and positioning
A long-established local shopping centre serving Manurewa and surrounding South Auckland communities, with a practical neighbourhood-retail role and strong public-transport connections rather than the scale of a major regional destination mall.
Shopping centre · 1967
Retail shopping centre
Southmall provides a multi-tenant retail environment for Manurewa and neighbouring South Auckland communities. Its historical tenant mix included department-store, supermarket, electronics, household and specialty retailers, supplemented by food, hospitality and service businesses. The centre's role is primarily local and convenience-oriented, rather than that of a large regional destination mall.
Home furnishings · 1970
Maple Home Furnishing Centre
The Maple Home Furnishing Centre was developed at the southern end of Southmall in 1970, extending the complex's offer into furniture and home-related merchandise.
Brand decisions
1994
Conversion to strata-title ownershipOtherBackground
The centre was placed on the market after a period in which national chain stores had begun to leave and competition from larger malls had increased.
Action taken
Ladstone Properties divided Southmall into 20 separately auctioned strata-title properties.
Aftermath
The ownership structure became fragmented among individual property titles.
1991
Introduction of Sunday tradingStrategyBackground
Retail trading patterns were changing, and shopping centres were expanding their opening hours.
Action taken
Southmall began Sunday trading on 7 July.
Aftermath
The decision aligned the centre with broader weekend-shopping practices.
1987
Enclosure and extension of SouthmallStrategyBackground
Southmall faced increasing competition from the nearby Manukau City Centre and changing expectations for shopping-centre environments.
Action taken
The centre was extensively remodelled and extended, converting it into an enclosed mall.
Aftermath
The redevelopment modernised the physical format, although later coverage continued to describe pressure from competing centres and limited subsequent development.
Sources2 sources
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