How was the summer season for Ponsonby Central?
This was our first full summer following a significant amount of refurbishment work, so the precinct was absolutely buzzing. We had a great Christmas – lots of kids and young families coming through to see the model Christmas train. Alongside that, we activated the centre with real Christmas trees throughout, so there was that beautiful pine smell in the air. It felt genuinely magical.
Since then, we’ve enjoyed an amazing run with strong trading across the board, plenty of international visitors, and a real sense that Ponsonby Central is humming again!
What are you most excited about for the upcoming season?
This year will be our biggest yet in terms of transformation. We’re completing the retractable cover over the central restaurant lane, which will fundamentally change how the space feels and functions. Plus, we’re working through six or seven refurbishments with existing businesses. We’re committed to giving each tenant the opportunity to refresh and re-energise their space.
We’re also introducing a very cool new parking system this year. The idea is simple: if you shop or dine at Ponsonby Central, you’ll collect free parking minutes. We want to create the best-case scenario – free parking while you’re enjoying the precinct.
This year is really about reinvention – and by the end of it, Ponsonby Central will feel sharper, more dynamic, and more exciting than ever.
What are you most proud of in terms of the evolution of Ponsonby Central since its inception?
Before our ownership, Ponsonby Central was already an exceptional creation. The vision to transform a rough old building and car yard into a curated, bustling collection of great businesses was a genuine gift to the city.
Our role has been to give it a new lease on life while respecting what made it special in the first place. We see ourselves as building on that original vision and continuing to position Ponsonby Central at the forefront of exciting New Zealand hospitality precincts.
What excites you most about the future?
Long term, the opportunity is simple but powerful: if we continue to take great care of the precinct as a whole, and continue to support our tenants to evolve as tastes and markets shift, Ponsonby Central will just keep getting stronger. It takes real effort from both us as owners and from our tenants. But that partnership – that shared commitment to getting better – is what ensures the place continues to improve year after year.
What role does Ponsonby Central play within the Ponsonby community?
It has always been – and will continue to be – that place you can go at any time of day and find something that delights you. Whether it’s food, beverage, or shopping, there’s enough variety and quality that no matter your mood, or who you’re with, there’s something for everyone. There aren’t many places that can offer that alongside an authentic hospitality experience.
What’s the best cocktail in Ponsonby Central right now?
The safest bet is to head to Bedford Soda & Liquor and try one of their revolving house specials. They’re constantly evolving their cocktail offering, often in collaboration with different brands and promotions. There’s always something new, and it’s always executed brilliantly.
And the best dish?
That’s a tough one! There are some truly iconic dishes across the precinct, but if I had to pick a top three – The Bang Bang Chicken Salad at The Blue Breeze Inn, the prawn toast at Gaja, and any prime cut of beef cooked over coals at El Sizzling Chorizo. Each one captures a different part of what makes Ponsonby Central special.
Favourite place to hang out outside of Ponsonby Central?
Anywhere by the water in Auckland is spectacular. We’re incredibly lucky. The waterfront around Wynyard Quarter, the promenade toward Westhaven and under the bridge – getting down there and enjoying the coast is a reminder of how blessed we are to live here. It’s a glimpse of what Auckland can continue to become as access to the waterfront expands.
