A state-of-the-art EV charging hub at New World Kaikōura in South Island, New Zealand is boosting low-emission travel along State Highway 1, thanks to a long-standing partnership between Foodstuffs South Island and ChargeNet. 
 
With the upgrade to three 300kW hyper-chargers, New World Kaikōura can accommodate six vehicles charging at once. The facility includes two long pull-through bays to cater for larger vehicles and trailers.  
 
As the only hyper-charging station between Christchurch and Blenheim, it’s a critical piece of charging infrastructure supporting the growing number of electric vehicles travelling New Zealand’s South Island. Usage in July 2025 was more than double that of July 2024 – highlighting the increasing demand for fast, reliable charging in the region. 
 
“These are some of the fastest public chargers in the country, delivering up to 400km of range in just 15 minutes for some vehicles”, says ChargeNet CEO Danusia Wypych. “Foodstuffs South Island is an essential EV charging partner for us. Their stores are in the right places for convenient charging, plus their teams are great to work with, and they’re as committed as we are to delivering a seamless experience for EV drivers.” 
 
Foodstuffs South Island Head of Property Steven Mitchell says the co-operative is proud to support the country’s transition to low-emission transport, while ensuring regional communities remain well connected.
 
“Investing in this kind of critical infrastructure is about keeping the South Island moving,” says Mr Mitchell. “We’ve worked closely with ChargeNet to identify the right locations, with the right charging capacity, to make EV travel more practical and accessible – not just in major centres, but also in towns like Kaikōura, where people depend on the highway network.”  
 
The Kaikōura site serves a mix of local drivers and State Highway 1 through-traffic, with short, convenience-based stops aligning well with a quick supermarket shop while charging. The site is monitored around the clock to maintain high reliability and fast turnaround for drivers. 
 
The chargers received a warm welcome at New World Kaikōura, which is owned and operated by James and Kym Bishop.  
 
“Our customers love it,” says James Bishop. “They’ve told us how convenient it is to charge their vehicle while they do their shopping. It means they can tick off two important jobs in one trip.”
 
The Kaikōura hub is one of the latest in a series of upgrades delivered by Foodstuffs South Island and ChargeNet over the past year, with improved EV charging now available at: 

• PAK’nSAVE Blenheim
• New World Durham Street, Christchurch 
• PAK’nSAVE Moorhouse, Christchurch 
• New World Ashburton 
• New World Centre City, Dunedin 
• New World Nelson City 

More sites are already in the pipeline, with an upgrade planned for PAK’nSAVE Dunedin and EV charging also planned for the new PAK’nSAVE Rolleston when it opens later this year. 
 
Foodstuffs South Island began working with ChargeNet in 2015 and now hosts hundreds of charging points across its New World, PAK’nSAVE and Four Square stores.