Today, Alceon Group have announced that Lego will be opening its first stand-alone New Zealand store in Westfield Newmarket later this year, bringing with it a fun and interactive retail experience for Lego fans. The new concept store will be a custom-built creative and inspiring space for all ages to enjoy, and will include Lego brick models of New Zealand icons.

Executive director of Alceon Group, Richard Facioni  comments: "we are delighted to bring this leading global retail experience to Auckland and are confident that Lego fans of all ages will respond very positively to the creativity, innovation and excitement that are hallmarks of Lego Certified Store. The opening of Alceon's first Lego Certified Store in Auckland is an important strategic milestone as we continue to strengthen our position as a leading ANZ retail investment group."

"We look forward to the New Zealand debut of Lego Certified Stores as we unveil a unique and immersive Lego retail experience"

Andrew Hull, Scentre Group's general manager of leasing and retail solutions adds: "we are thrilled to welcome one of the world's most loved brands, Lego, to Westfield Newmarket and we know our customers will be too.

"With Westfield Newmarket soon to be home to New Zealand's first Lego Certified Store as well as a number of other sought-after and first-to-market brands, we're confident the centre will offer something quite special for New Zealand – a place for locals and visitors alike to keep coming back to."

Chief Executive of the Newmarket Business Association, Mark Knoff-Thomas commented “we are of course delighted that Lego will be moving into the neighbourhood - it’s the news every kid wants to here! Lego stores are world famous for their in-store experiences. They will be a major attraction and will give consumers another great reason to visit to Newmarket.”

Earlier this year, a two-storey Lego store opened in Sydney at Westfield Bondi Junction which includes a signature Pick a Brick Wall, a Make-Your-Own Minifigure station and a range of other unique features.

Scentre Group's $790m development, Westfield Newmarket, is set to open in stages throughout the year with 230 new stores, including Farmers, Countdown, Event Cinemas and Auckland's first David Jones department store.