The Māngere Markets Trust lost its licence to operate the Māngere Town Centre market on May 30 after 29 years of service, following a competitive selection process by the Auckland Council. The council awarded a new five-year contract to the Twosevenfive Foundation, which now operates as 275 Markets, after determining the foundation better met assessment criteria for the site.
Why did the council change operators?
Auckland Council states the decision to replace the long-standing operator followed a formal expression of interest process for the site. According to Marian Webb, the council’s Head of Property Management, the previous licence had been operating on a rolling month-to-month basis, which provided an opportunity to review the future of the location. The council conducted two rounds of applications in 2025, which drew eight total bids. Webb noted that the final decision reflected a long-term governance direction developed over several years and multiple local board terms. The council assessed applicants based on community benefits, including support for local businesses, affordable stallholder opportunities, Māori and Pasifika connections, and the requirement that profits be returned to the community.
How does the former operator respond?
The Māngere Markets Trust, which established the market nearly three decades ago, expressed surprise and disappointment at the decision. A spokesperson for the trust stated that the organization had reinvested more than $2.35 million into community initiatives during its tenure, including funding for food banks, school programs, and town centre security cameras. The trust reported that it had never received a formal complaint and had consistently met all rental and contractual obligations to the council. While the trust participated in the 2025 tender process, it questioned whether there was a genuine opportunity to retain the licence, citing comments about a “mood for change” at the local board level.
What happens next for the market and community?
The transition to the new operator, 275 Markets, leaves the future of community funding uncertain. The Māngere Markets Trust has publicly questioned how long it might take for the new operator to establish a similar level of investment in local causes. While the council maintains that the selection of the Twosevenfive Foundation was based on superior alignment with its criteria, the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board has not responded to inquiries regarding the specific reasons for seeking a new operator after 29 years. Stakeholders may watch to see if the new operator maintains the same level of financial support for local schools, sporting groups, and charitable initiatives previously provided by the trust.




