Costco eyes up fast-track bid for second NZ city

Christchurch could soon see a Costco store open its doors in the Garden City.

The company sells bulk goods and groceries at discounted wholesale prices.

The proposed store would be built on vacant land between Memorial Ave and Avonhead Rd, close to the airport.

Christchurch City Council’s Waimairi Ward councillor Sam MacDonald confirmed the council has been asked for feedback on a Costco fast-track application.

While he welcomed the development, he said the impact of increased traffic on nearby residents would have to be considered.

The proposed site is vacant land between Memorial Ave and Avonhead Rd. Photo / Supplied

MacDonald said people wanted cost-of-living relief, so providing more competition in the local grocery market could only be a “great thing”.

“We just have to manage the impacts locally,” he said.

The council’s Head of Planning and Consents, Mark Stevenson, said they had received a letter from the government last month.

“The Council received a letter from the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport dated 16 September 2026, inviting written comments on the referral application,” Stevenson said.

Stevenson said staff provided written feedback on October 7.

The fast-track application has not been published on the Government’s fast-track application website at this stage.

Costco and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop have both been approached for comment.

Costco opened its first and only New Zealand store in Auckland in 2022.

On opening day, it was advertised to open at 8am, but was forced to open an hour earlier because of large queues.

A second store is set to be built in South Auckland.