IKEA says ‘Kia ora’ and ‘Save the Date’ for their New Zealand opening on 4 December 2025

Today’s announcement on site at IKEA Sylvia Park was marked by the installation of the iconic, IKEA yellow wordmark on the side of the 34,000 m² store. The milestone ends much speculation and anticipation for confirmation of the opening date, which was confirmed will be in time for Christmas shoppers across all New Zealand.   

IKEA is also inviting New Zealanders to join their family, with the launch of IKEA Family, its free loyalty program. With more than 213 million members worldwide, members will receive exclusive benefits, early access to news, inspiring content, and personalised experiences once IKEA is open.  

With 7,500 products available, the store features an expansive Showroom filled with fully styled room sets from bedrooms and kitchens to outdoor spaces. The Market Hall area is stocked with curated home accessories, and a self-serve warehouse is where customers can pick up larger flatpack furniture to take home that day, or via home delivery at a more convenient time.

The 426 seat, Swedish Restaurant will serve the famous IKEA meatballs, salmon dishes, plant-based favourites, and even some meals exclusive to New Zealand. Before the store exit, the Bistro and Swedish Food Market will offer customers cinnamon scrolls and hotdogs, as well as frozen eatballs to enjoy at home. 

Tolga Öncu, Ingka Retail Manager (COO) at IKEA Retail (Ingka Group) said: “The interest and anticipation for IKEA in New Zealand can be felt all the way to Sweden and we are very much humbled by it. Welcoming a new country to the IKEA family always comes with a special emotion and we cannot be more excited to meet the many Kiwis soon and bring our well-designed and affordable home furnishings close to them.”  

Mirja Viinanen, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA Australia and New Zealand said: “I’m proud we can finally deliver the good news to New Zealanders that exactly three months from today, on December 4, IKEA will open its doors, both physically and online. We appreciate the excitement shown by Kiwis and are grateful for the country’s patience as we have been busy laying the foundations of our first home in Aotearoa.   

“It’s been some time since we first announced our intentions to enter New Zealand in 2019. However, from the start it has been our aim to enter in the best way possible and to be a good neighbour. Not just for opening, but for the long term. We wouldn’t be where we are today, without the support and collaboration from our neighbours and widening, ‘IKEA Family’. From the Māori blessing as we started construction in June 2023, to ongoing collaboration with many members of the local iwi, Kiwi Property, community groups and local businesses, we’ve laid strong foundations that will support us in achieving our forever vision – to create a better everyday life for the many New Zealanders.”   

Sylvia Park was intentionally chosen to be the location for the first ever IKEA store in New Zealand as a natural place where Aucklanders already live, work, shop and play, with well-established access to public transport via train or bus, car and bike.   

When open, customers visiting the IKEA Sylvia Park store can choose to take home their products immediately, or can schedule home delivery at a date of their choice. Click and Collect will be available from the IKEA car park at chosen time slots in addition to 24/7 Click and Collect lockers available on site. What’s more, from day one, shoppers throughout the country can shop online on the IKEA website, IKEA App or over the phone.  

Beyond the flagship store, together with partners Mainfreight and NZ Post, IKEA is ensuring that every New Zealander can access its home furnishings, no matter where they live. IKEA will offer home delivery, in addition to 29 Pick Up Points spread from the top of the north island to the bottom of the south, enabling customers to collect their orders at convenient locations, close to their home.   

IKEA New Zealand Market Manager, Johanna Cederlöf, said: “My team and I are eagerly counting down the days until December 4 when we will welcome our first, New Zealand customers. For many, it will be their very first experience of what it is like being in an IKEA store – surrounded by inspiring home furnishing solutions, tailored to New Zealand homes and the way we live.    

“We know new IKEA store openings all around the world generate great excitement, and IKEA Sylvia Park will be no exception. We are very focused on preparing for the high interest and visitor numbers expected, and we are consulting with Kiwi Property, Auckland Transport, and local authorities to plan for this in the best way possible.”    

Infrastructure has been enhanced around the IKEA Sylvia Park store to improve road and pedestrian access. A new covered walkway bridge along Te Ahoterangi Rise will allow customers to park once and walk between Sylvia Park and IKEA. In addition, Clemow Drive will have new traffic signals installed, and both Clemow Drive and Carbine Road are being widened, and the southbound right-turn slip lane into Te Ahoterangi Rise is being extended.  

IKEA has partnered with traffic management experts, Chevron, to model peak visitation scenarios around its opening period and will rehearse a practice opening day to identify any pre-opening issues to iron out in advance. During the opening period, static and digital wayfinding signage will be displayed along prominent routes, alongside dedicated traffic controllers on launch day and opening period.    

Customers are encouraged to travel to the IKEA store using public transport, especially around the opening period. In addition to taking advantage of the convenient IKEA services provided, to receive their order, including home delivery, Pick Up Points and Click & Collect outside peak hours - to help ease traffic congestion.   

Kiwi Property CEO, Clive Mackenzie, said: “We are excited to welcome IKEA to the Sylvia Park precinct. We’ve been working hard on connectivity between the sites, for the convenience of our Sylvia Park customers and IKEA’s. The covered walkway between IKEA and Sylvia Park will ensure a safe, fast, and weather-protected experience for shoppers to move easily between the two destinations.”  

Ambassador-Designate of Sweden to Australia and New Zealand Klas Molin, said: “The opening of IKEA in New Zealand represents a real milestone, and is a celebration of Swedish values in action. IKEA embodies Sweden’s commitment to sustainability and innovation, making well-designed, functional products accessible to and affordable for the many. The launch not only brings those values to life in New Zealand but also contributes to strengthening the bond between our countries. We are happy to see IKEA contribute to everyday life for the people of Aotearoa.”