But its pricing will still be competitive, the company believes.
General manager property and retail development Roger Davidson said decisions around new supermarkets were based on population size and predicted growth.
``The information we have is that the predicted population growth in Wanaka will certainly sustain a second New World, but not a Pak'n Save, which is a much larger store.''
Mr Davidson said the new ``much larger store'' in the town's Three Parks development would help cater for the expected population growth in the wider Wanaka area.
The decision to build a second New World, rather than a competing store was questioned by Queenstown Lakes councillor Ross McRobie, of Wanaka, who said while it was good to have another supermarket to relieve pressure, it would have been preferable to have a different store to ensure competitive pricing.
Mr Davidson said the Wanaka stores would have two different owner-operators, each would work hard to provide the best ``experience, freshness, choice and value for their local community''.
Resource consent for the supermarket would be lodged within the next few weeks, he said.
When contacted, Countdown communications adviser Keith Cowden-Brown said the company had no plans at present to open a supermarket in Wanaka.
- by Kerrie Waterworth
