Christchurch Stirling Sports closures blamed on dwindling foot traffic after Kmart, Pak’nSave left malls

Tuesday, 4 November 2025

The company behind two Stirling Sports stores in Christchurch — one at The Palms and the other at Northlands Shopping Centre — has gone into liquidation, with debts of about $760,000.

According to the first liquidator’s report, Hamleigh Holdings Limited became insolvent after a difficult year marked by weak sales, rising operating costs, and higher expenses from suppliers and landlords.

Mark Anderson, owner of Stirling Sports Franchise Limited, said the liquidation reflected a “very difficult set of circumstances” for the Christchurch stores’ owner.

“Unfortunately, one of the malls lost Kmart, and the other lost Pak’nSave,” Anderson said.

“It was incredibly tough when you’ve got major tenants leaving malls like that, and the landlords wouldn’t support lower rentals, given the drop in foot traffic.”

Kmart left The Palms and moved to the Northlink drive-in shopping centre in Papanui in 2020. The Pak’nSave at Northlands Shopping Centre left early last year, opening a new store on Main North Rd a kilometre away.

Both malls have been contacted for comment.

Anderson stressed that the liquidation only affects the two Christchurch stores and not other franchisees.

“There are around 60 franchisees nationwide, with a number of new doors open recently,” he said.

“[But] it’s been hard for everyone in business, and indeed, all the consumers. Inflation has affected consumer demand for everyone.”

Hamleigh Holdings Limited was placed into liquidation last week.

Attempts by the director, Simon Leigh, to sell the business over the past 12 months were unsuccessful.

Brenton Hunt has been appointed liquidator.

As of the liquidation date on October 28, the company owed about $15,000 in staff wages and holiday pay, $35,000 to Inland Revenue for GST and PAYE, and roughly $650,000 to unsecured creditors.

Secured creditors include Westpac Bank, Nike New Zealand, Adidas New Zealand, Conquest Imports, Brittain Wynyard, and Brand Collective.

The liquidator stated in the report that 'it is looking unlikely' that sufficient assets will be realized for the purpose of making payment to 'any class of creditor' at this stage.

Incorporated in 2007, Hamleigh Holdings Limited had traded as a sports retail business under the Stirling Sports brand for 18 years.

The Northlands store was listed for sale on TradeMe earlier in October.

Separately, Stirling Sports Cromwell announced earlier last month it would close permanently after nearly 12 years in business.

Stirling Sports, which opened its first store on Dominion Road in 1964, has grown into one of New Zealand’s largest sporting retailers.

According to the company’s website, the brand now operates 53 stores nationwide, including 42 in the North Island and 11 in the South Island.