News and media releases

Kiwis are expected to eat more than 380,000 lamingtons over the next four weeks to raise money for Alzheimers New Zealand. From Monday 26 June until Sunday 23 July, 20 cents from each six pack of lamingtons purchased from Countdown will be donated to the charity.

It’s a little-known fact that while the origin of the pavlova has been a long-standing battle between New Zealand and Australia, lamingtons also have a controversial history between the two nations.

Countdown’s Food Rescue programme won the Business Leadership category at last night’s Green Ribbon Awards, run by the Ministry for the Environment.  The awards recognise the outstanding contributions made by individuals, organisations, businesses and communities to protect and enhance New Zealand’s environment.

Hundreds lined up this morning to be one of the first through the doors of Ashburton’s newest supermarket. The store was officially opened by Mayor Donna Favel, and has created 68 new jobs in the local community.

New research has highlighted a huge gap in New Zealanders’ understanding of the role foodbanks play in the community, including what triggers the need for help.

The research, conducted ahead of Countdown’s Winter Appeal to help stock The Salvation Army’s foodbanks this winter, aims to better understand attitudes and perceptions of foodbanks and the people who use them.

Last night at the Annual PRINZ Gala Awards Dinner, Countdown won the award in the internal communications category for its hugely successful launch of Workplace by Facebook.   

Countdown was the first business in New Zealand to adopt Facebook’s innovative internal communications tool which is designed to make it easier for our people to connect, and that is exactly what it has done for more than 8800 of our store team who have joined so far.

Countdown has today launched a new transgender transitioning policy aimed at supporting transitioning team members across the country.

The policy outlines Countdown's responsibilities as an employer and commitment to providing an inclusive environment, as well as the practical assistance available to team members who are transitioning genders.  It is underpinned with information and support for managers to ensure transitioning team members feel comfortable, can be themselves and perform at their best while at work.

Countdown’s much anticipated new Beachlands store has been officially opened today by Andrew Bayly, MP for Hunua and has created 70 new jobs for many in the local community.

As part of the celebrations, students from Beachlands School performed a kapa haka. Locals were also excited about the opening, with hundreds eagerly checking out the new store.

At Countdown we know a thing or two about bananas. They have been Countdown’s number one purchased item across the aisles for years. To celebrate International Banana Day (19 April) we thought we would share some fun facts about Kiwis favourite fruit from our produce experts.

New Zealanders around the country are preparing for the Easter holidays and Countdown anticipates customers will munch their way through 12.5 million individual hot cross buns and we’re set to eat the equivalent of 23,200 chilly bins full of chocolate eggs, with marshmallow eggs Kiwis’ clear favourite.   

From tomorrow, Countdown customers can donate to the NZ Red Cross Bay of Plenty Floods Appeal 2017.  All funds raised go to the Red Cross for their work to support communities affected by last week’s terrible floods.