Items for Decorating Heavenly Spaces
In a significant development for New Zealand's home decor scene, IKEA, the international Swedish furniture giant, is set to open its doors in Auckland in December 2023. The store, spanning two floors and covering 34,000 square meters, will be located in the Sylvia Park shopping center.
This announcement marks the end of decades of deprivation of Swedish furniture in New Zealand, a void that has been a topic of discussion in the podcast "Holy Sheep New Zealand". Criticisms about the lack of modern furniture in New Zealand have been raised, with some pointing out the absence of an IKEA store as the likely cause.
The opening of IKEA in Auckland is also expected to address another long-standing issue for expatriate Germans living in New Zealand. Jenny Jakobeit, host of "Holy Sheep New Zealand", has compiled a list of criticisms about living in New Zealand from Germans, titled "50 things Germans criticize about New Zealand". On the list, the lack of authentic Wiener Schnitzel and squishy bread, housing issues such as poor insulation and the lack of double-glazed windows, and the quality of the local pie, similar to currywurst, are all mentioned.
The arrival of IKEA may also help address housing frustrations, as the store's furniture could potentially improve the overall aesthetic and functionality of homes. Furthermore, the issue of renters not being able to make modifications to their homes, such as hammering nails into the walls, could potentially be alleviated with the introduction of IKEA's modular furniture solutions.
The opening of IKEA in Auckland is not the only significant change in the relationship between New Zealand and Sweden. Over the years, the Swedes have bought up 27,000 hectares of New Zealand farmland to plant pine plantations. This has led to fewer sheep being raised in New Zealand, a significant shift in the country's agricultural landscape.
However, the question of what the unused garages in New Zealand are being used for remains unclear. Some speculate that they could be used for other purposes, such as crystal meth labs, but this has not been confirmed.
IKEA's arrival in Auckland is expected to create 500 jobs, providing employment opportunities for locals. Potatoes in New Zealand, often criticized for being pale and watery, may also see an improvement in quality with the introduction of IKEA's produce department.
In winter, it is common for people to go to sleep with a wool hat due to cold houses, another issue that IKEA's heating solutions could potentially help address. The dual water taps in New Zealand homes, providing only ice-cold or scalding hot water, could also be improved with IKEA's kitchen appliances.
In conclusion, the opening of IKEA in Auckland is a significant event for New Zealand, addressing long-standing issues in the areas of home decor, food, and housing. The store's arrival is expected to bring a touch of modernity, improve living conditions, and create employment opportunities.
