Auckland Airport’s new premium outlet shopping destination is set to become New Zealand’s first ever fully electric shopping centre food court, with zero natural or LPG gas available on site.

The venue, Mānawa Bay, is under construction and due to be completed in late 2024. It’s committed to sustainability and renewable energy, including featuring what’s expected to be the most extensive rooftop solar array in New Zealand.

Mānawa Bay has introduced a zero natural or LPG gas policy, which is expected to eliminate up to 57% of its greenhouse gas emissions from its kitchens.

Speaking yesterday at TRENZ in Christchurch, New Zealand’s premier business-to-business travel trade event, Auckland Airport’s chief customer officer, Scott Tasker, said that while reticulated gas in commercial environments was currently the norm in New Zealand, and while electric cooking certainly wasn’t new, “having an entire dining area at a shopping centre powered solely by electricity is. It’s something we’re delighted to bring to Mānawa Bay.”

With 13 food and beverage operators planned for Mānawa Bay, cooking and heating with electricity will mean less wasted energy will be projected into the atmosphere.

Typically, 65 per cent of energy gas is wasted and goes into the air rather than being used to heat food. Using radiant heat devices instead reduces energy loss to 35 per cent, while induction cooking equipment reduces energy loss to just 15 per cent.

“Mānawa Bay’s zero gas policy aligns well with the Climate Change Commission’s draft advice to government two weeks ago, which recommends new commercial developments are prohibited from connecting to fossil gas,” said Tasker said.

“Cutting out the use of gas on site is also an important step towards achieving a 5 Green Star rating for Mānawa Bay and supporting Auckland Airport’s decarbonisation pathway to achieve net zero direct carbon emissions by 2030. It is one of several initiatives that we hope will also support the way future developments of this kind are planned.”

When it opens, Mānawa Bay will feature 100 stores offering sought-after fashion, athleisure, lifestyle and homeware brands. The dining precinct is located at the heart of the retail centre. With a focus on indoor and outdoor flow, it connects to an expansive alfresco area amongst park-like grounds, overlooking a play area for kids.

By achieving a 5 Green Star rating, Mānawa Bay aims to have improved energy efficiency, better indoor air quality, reduced waste, lower emissions, improved water conservation, contain more sustainable building materials and contribute to a healthier environment.

Edited by: Peter Needham

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