Among the new options will be recognised local brands such as BurgerFuel, and international favourite Starbucks, which is owned and operated by Tahua Group in New Zealand.
Other new entrants with international cuisines include fresh pastas and pizza from Needo, Japanese from TJ Katsu, Korean from Haha Chicken and Vietnamese from Roll’d.
There will be three new cafe and dining concepts celebrating New Zealand coffee and hospitality culture, including Auckland Coffee Exports, The Local and NZ Pie Co & Croissant Lab.
Wondertree cafe is also being replaced, with the cafe’s operator rebranding the site to Fernery Eatery & Bar.
Auckland Airport’s head of retail, Lucy Thomas, said the focus was on improving the dining experience for customers as a core travel experience.
“We’re bringing together a mix of New Zealand operators and brands, experienced airport food and beverage partners and recognised international names to give travellers more choice before they fly,” Thomas said.
“We’ve worked hard to create a food and beverage offering that gives people a reason to head through security a little earlier and start their journey well. We know great food and beverage helps create a sense of place, and we’ve carefully curated an offering that reflects the diverse needs of travellers moving through the airport every day.”
Starbucks New Zealand, owned and operated by Tahua Group, will bring exclusive merchandise and a locally relevant menu offering to Auckland Airport.
The new entrants will sit alongside six existing food and beverage offers, with Al Brown’s Best Ugly Bagels and Vantage Bar & Kitchen both being refurbished, and Soul Origin remaining as is.
Al Brown’s team are set to step in to directly manage its Auckland Airport site as one of their flagship stores, strengthening the influence behind it.
Change is also coming for the landside dining environment located before security, with Oma’s Bakery and Blue Marble Bar to be updated with a new layout, new look, menu and name – The Social.
No changes have been announced for KFC or McDonald’s landside and airside operations.
An Auckland Airport spokeswoman confirmed one operator’s food and beverage licence had come to an end, although it would continue to operate its retail sites at the airport.
Auckland Airport chief commercial officer Mark Thomson told the Herald in June that the redevelopment work had been planned in stages so food options would remain available for travellers, with the intent of delivering a food court that is “fit for purpose for the years ahead”.
“We know they want more variety, food options that work for the whole family, and spaces that feel good to be in. So that’s what we’re focused on, making sure the time travellers spend airside before their flight is something they can look forward to and enjoy,” Thomson said.
“The departures area beyond security will look a little different for a while as the refresh is undertaken. We will have a set of temporary walls put in place around areas in progress, although there will be plenty of other areas to still hang out, eat and enjoy; it will be business as usual.”
Tom Raynel is a multimedia business journalist for the Herald, covering small business, retail and tourism.
Stay ahead with the latest market moves, corporate updates, and economic insights by subscribing to our Business newsletter – your essential weekly round-up of all the business news you need.