Celebrating Our Store Birthdays - 15, 12 & 1!

Jul 03, 2026

July is a special month for the New Zealand Petfoods family. This year, all three of our retail stores are celebrating a birthday, and we couldn't let the occasion pass without saying a huge thank you.

Our Timaru store turns 15, Oamaru celebrates 12 years, and our newest store in Dunedin marks its first birthday.

Every milestone has only been possible because of the incredible support from our customers. Whether you've been shopping with us for years or have only recently discovered us, thank you for trusting us to help keep your pets happy and healthy. We truly appreciate every visit, every conversation and every wagging tail that walks through our doors.

Our Home Base – Timaru Turns 15

Our Timaru store has been at the heart of New Zealand Petfoods for 15 years. Located right alongside our factory on Redruth Street, it's as close to the source as you can get.

Today, Kyla, Shelley and Mak proudly look after the store, bringing expert advice, friendly service and a genuine passion for pets to every customer who visits. Whether you're looking for the perfect treat, nutritional advice or simply stopping in to say hello, they'll always take the time to help.

And while we're celebrating the past 15 years, we're also looking ahead. We've got some exciting things planned for our Timaru store this year, and we can't wait to share them with you soo

Where It All Began - Oamaru Turns 12

Our story began right here in North Otago. Founders Russell and Karen Gawn started farming in 1987, so when it came time to open our very first retail store, Oamaru was the obvious choice.

Twelve years later, our Oamaru team continues to do what they've always done best – offer honest advice, friendly service and quality natural pet food without the hard sell. It's why so many familiar faces keep coming back.

Over the years, the store has also collected plenty of great memories.

When we installed our self-service dog wash almost nine years ago, we thought we'd see lots of muddy dogs. We certainly have—but we've also welcomed a miniature pony, a sheep and even a duck! One thing we've learnt? It's usually the big dogs that make the biggest fuss, and more often than not, the owner ends up wetter than the dog.

Our team also hears some classic questions every week.

"My cat is really fussy… will it eat this?"
Well... hopefully! Maybe. This week, yes. Next week? Cats like to keep us guessing.

"How long will this dog chew last?"
That's a bit like asking, "How long is a piece of string?" Every dog has its own opinion!

Many of our regular canine visitors don't even wait for their owners—they head straight behind the counter because they know exactly where the treat jar lives. One particularly determined dog even helped itself to the toy it wanted after its owner picked the "wrong" one!

It's these little moments that make Oamaru shop the place it is

The Newest Chapter – Dunedin Turns 1

Dunedin may be our newest store, but it has quickly become an important part of the New Zealand Petfoods family.

For years, we noticed more and more online orders heading south, and plenty of customers making the trip to Oamaru to stock up. It became clear that Dunedin was ready for a store of its own.

One year ago, we opened our doors on King Edward Street, and under Raewyn's care, the store has already become part of the local community.

Our opening day, together with The Breeze, was unforgettable. The BBQ was a huge success, and the number of dogs who came along made for a fantastic atmosphere. Thankfully no cats decided to join the party, that might have been a little chaotic! (Although they're very welcome any other day.)

Another popular feature has been our free dog weighing scales, giving owners an easy way to keep track of their dog's health during each visit.

It's hard to believe the store is only one year old and we can't wait for many more years to come.

Come Celebrate With Us

To thank our amazing customers for your continued support, we're celebrating all three store birthdays with a special Birthday Giveaway.

From 4–11 July, every in-store purchase at our Timaru, Oamaru or Dunedin stores goes into the draw to win one of two fantastic hampers, one for dogs and one for cats, with a little something for the lucky pet owner too!

If you're nearby, we'd love to see you. Pop in, say hello to our friendly team, and help us celebrate another milestone.

Here's to many more years of helping Kiwi pets live happier, healthier lives.

— The New Zealand Petfoods Team