Auckland Airport’s premium outlet shopping centre Mānawa Bay has secured global icons Hoka and Guess who are bringing their first standalone stores to New Zealand, alongside Michael Kors, which is opening its first outlet store in the country.

Construction of the 35,000m2 centre is on track, with the roof now completed and the final internal concrete pours due to be completed this month. More than 60% of the internal walls have been constructed and lined, and shopfront roller doors are being installed. Shop fit outs will start in June, as preparations continue for the centre to open in September.

With more than 100 retail stores set to be on offer, popular local retailer Huffer will also be opening at Mānawa Bay, along with sporting giant Adidas.

They are joined by further confirmed tenants including Icebreaker, Asics, Timberland, Bed Bath and Beyond, Levis, Mountain Jade, Strandbags and Novo.

“We’re delighted with how well leasing is progressing. Mānawa Bay offers a unique proposition that doesn’t currently exist in the New Zealand market – great outlet shopping with many stores not seen before here,” said Mānawa Bay’s Centre Manager Linh Luong.

“Its thoughtful design and eateries spilling onto an outdoor space, overlooking the water and a play area for kids – there’s nothing else like it here and this is making it a drawcard for tenants,” she said.

Also committed to Mānawa Bay are Retail Apparel Group with Johnny Bigg, Tarocash, YD and Connor; and Accent Group with Ugg, Dr Martens, Hype DC and Platypus Skechers (along with Hoka).

The newly signed tenants join a long list of already announced brands, with Nike bringing their largest ever store in the country to Mānawa Bay, as well as Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger also opening their largest outlet stores in New Zealand. Further retailers include Converse and Hurley, Bendon, Macpac and Mountain Warehouse, amongst more.

Timeless Watches will have their first store in New Zealand; Kate Spade, Swarovski and Helly Hansen will be opening their first outlet stores in the country.

“Opening a new outlet centre in Auckland, at a similar scale to ones seen overseas, will bring more choice of brands and at discounted prices for customers,” said Luong.

The opening of Mānawa Bay is set to provide 750 new retail and hospitality jobs, following 250 jobs during the construction phase.

Mānawa Bay is expected to have the largest rooftop solar system in New Zealand on top of the 35,000m2 building. At 2.3-megawatts, the solar array is planned to support more than 80% of the centre’s anticipated power usage.

With a zero natural or LPG gas policy, it’s set to be the first ever fully electric shopping centre with the food and beverage kitchens all to be powered without gas.

“The construction team is on track to bring Mānawa Bay to completion, including achieving new benchmarks for sustainability across construction processes in New Zealand retail environments, with the building targeting a 5 Green Star rating,” said Luong.

Mānawa Bay’s sustainability initiatives throughout the build include optimising resources, reducing carbon emissions, enhancing the local environment and supporting local communities.

With the start of the planting season underway, more than 200 trees and 100,000 plants are being planted and the installation of eight rainwater harvesting tanks totalling 240,000 litres is now complete.