Westfield Newmarket

Foodcourts, synonymous with cheap eats, are much-loved by diners. From hidden alleys to flash halls, we look at the recipe for their success.

“It’s the old notion of exchanging and trading quick turnaround meals.” When Stuff visits Ponsonby International Foodcourt van Kuijk has been out on the floor collecting dirty plates herself, because she’s a worker short. “Before Covid it was alright,” Chen says. Normally it’s busy during lunchtime, but it’s gotten worse because of Covid. Normally visitors would be the target for dinner, but tourist numbers are still far below pre-Covid levels. They charge roughly $14 to $16 and you have a decent size. If they don’t want to, they can just order food downstairs [from the foodcourt].” The foodcourt formula has been repeated with great success. “We’re set up with all the different Asian cuisines here. Like Ponsonby International Foodcourt, it was started by immigrants from Asia; the Chhour family arrived in New Zealand as refugees from Cambodia and the enterprising Lim Chhour set about introducing Asian cuisine to receptive consumers. The Karangahape Rd site, he decided, would be more than just a supermarket. Matafeo is far from the only celebrity to frequent Ponsonby’s foodcourt.