A Growing Hub for East Coast Bays

Browns Bay continues to strengthen its role as a vibrant and welcoming town centre for the East Coast Bays community. Over the past year, the area has experienced steady growth across hospitality, retail, health and fitness, automotive, and professional services. This diverse mix reinforces Browns Bay’s position as a place where locals can shop, dine, work, and access essential services close to home.

Long-standing businesses remain a cornerstone of the town centre, while several new arrivals have added further choice and energy. Together, this balance helps support a resilient local economy. Interest from business owners choosing to establish themselves in Browns Bay reflects continued confidence in the area, and its long-term potential.

New businesses add energy and choice

Among recent additions is Indoor Padel NZ at 50 Anzac Road. The facility is home to Auckland’s first indoor padel court, which operates using a fully automated 24/7 booking system via indoorpadel.co.nz Racquets are available for hire and balls can be purchased onsite, making it easy for first-time players to try this fast-growing sport. Another notable fitness newcomer is Yoga Aereo NZ, located at 12 Inverness Road. This is the first aerial yoga studio of its kind in New Zealand, offering classes for all ages and abilities, including seniors and children. Sessions can be booked at yogaaereonz.nz or founder Susana can be contacted directly on 027 329 6828. These businesses complement Browns Bay’s extensive range of gyms, yoga studios, martial arts schools, and wellness-focused services, providing residents with a wide variety of options to suit different interests and lifestyles.

Several new eateries have also opened, adding to Browns Bay’s already strong food offering. Sanku Maots’ai, serving Sichuan cuisine, and Taning, a tea specialist – both located in Phoenix Plaza – along with Kebabs on Shore on Inverness Road and Thai Browns Bay café and restaurant on Beach Front Lane, are welcome additions to the town centre’s diverse dining scene.

Parking: a key community topic

As the town centre continues to grow, parking is an increasingly important topic within the community. Feedback shared through social media and directly with the Business Association reflects a range of perspectives, including concerns about availability, time limits, and the need for turnover to support local businesses. This feedback is acknowledged, and parking continues to be reviewed as a key factor in the town centre’s ongoing success.

Currently, Browns Bay offers a mix of P120, P90, and P60 restricted on-street and off-street parking. These areas are monitored by Auckland Transport and private operators, with varying enforcement conditions, so visitors are encouraged to check signage carefully wherever they park. Unrestricted parking is also available on Glen Road and further west, approximately a five- to seven-minute walk from the town centre.

New World has recently reviewed its parking arrangements, and its parking bays are no longer monitored overnight between 8pm and 7am. This change allows the community free use of their car parks during these hours.
A parking map outlining all available options will be published shortly on the Business Association’s website at brownsbay.org.nz to help visitors understand their parking choices.

Roading upgrades

Auckland Transport is scheduled to undertake works on roads and footpaths in the town centre during March. These improvements are aimed at increasing safety for both pedestrians and vehicles as they move around the central streets. Updates on the work schedule will be shared on the Business Association’s social media pages as soon as they become available.

We encourage the community to continue supporting local businesses and staying informed as Browns Bay evolves. With ongoing engagement and collaboration, the town centre can continue to develop in a way that benefits residents, visitors, and the wider East Coast Bays community.

 

First published and permission to post by ShoreLines magazine, Feb/Mar 2026, p.18