A new flagship community-connected supermarket will launch in Wairoa around the middle of this year.

The Baskete Supermarket was introduced earlier this month with an on-site blessing at the former New World supermarket site.

Building works are now underway to completely refit the grocery store, with a focus on high-quality fresh produce and convenient, healthy, affordable takeaway meals.

Developer Aman Bakshi owns the local Bottle O store and describes Baskete as a direct response to community needs.

“This is a local approach that comes from listening to the community, which has enabled us to produce a supermarket that has products that are tailored to suit Wairoa’s needs.”

Key foundations of Baskete include creating local jobs to keep income within Wairoa, providing training for rangatahi, competition to drive down everyday grocery costs and a welcoming, family-friendly store that values people over profit.

Initially, 35 people are expected to be employed, and that number is likely to grow as the store becomes established.

A point of difference will be working with local growers and suppliers to source fresh produce, which will reduce costs and support local livelihoods.

Mr Bakshi says sourcing products locally keeps the money in Wairoa, which is good for everyone. “Shorter supply chains mean lower costs, fresher products and shared success.”

Mr Bakshi owns a supermarket in Greytown and hopes his new Wairoa store will provide bespoke services tailored to the area and connected to the community.

“We see the success of our brand as being independent and part of the community where decisions prioritise people, value and fairness. We are on the ground and in touch with the community's needs rather than being a distant corporate branch.

“Our paddock to supermarket approach is for the fresh products we sell to customers and also for the tasty meals we will make in store. This will feature a takeaway breakfast, lunch and dinner range from a full breakfast for $8 to meals priced at around $12-$13. Our focus is on quality, we know what you put in is what you get out, and we want it to be the best,” says Mr Bakshi.

The new supermarket will be open towards the end of June/July and will feature a café, bakery, deli, hot food, as well as frozen and chilled sections, fresh produce, dairy, drinks, snacks, seafood and pet food.

Baskete will include a fun time activity room for children to play while families are shopping, key community messaging, match-for-match food bank donations, and 7 am-9 pm opening hours, seven days a week.

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said it has been many years since Wairoa has had a new business of this size open in our town, and he is eager to see how this supermarket will contribute to local employment creation, youth training and skills development.

“A new supermarket gives our people more choice, employment, food security and access, which strengthens our resilience.

“We appreciate Aman’s forward-thinking in choosing Wairoa and his commitment to the district. This initiative represents a community-aligned, locally supplied, employment-creating supermarket model that strengthens Wairoa’s food resilience and economic wellbeing.”

Caption: Wairoa Mayor Craig Little congratulates new supermarket developer Aman Bakshi who aims to have The Baskete Supermarket open by June/July of this year.

10 March 2026

Back to Home