Dick Smith NZ Stores: Closed, But Online Lives On
If you’ve walked past a shopping centre in New Zealand and wondered where the old Dick Smith store went, you’re not alone. It was a familiar sight for decades — yellow and black signage drawing shoppers in for electronics — yet today, those physical stores are gone. This guide traces how Dick Smith went from 62 stores across New Zealand to zero, explains why the chain shut down in 2016, and covers how to buy from the brand online today.
Peak number of physical stores in New Zealand: 62 ·
Number of stores in Auckland at peak: 20 ·
Year all physical stores closed: 2016 ·
Current online retailer: Kogan.com ·
Year online store relaunched: 2016 ·
Number of stores at closure: 54
Quick snapshot
- All physical Dick Smith stores in New Zealand closed by June 2016 (RNZ)
- Brand acquired by Kogan.com and relaunched as online-only store in 2016 (BBC News)
- Peak of 62 stores across New Zealand, 20 in Auckland (Wikipedia)
- Current official website: dicksmith.co.nz, operated by Kogan.com
- Exact store count discrepancy: sources report both 62 (peak) and 54 (closure) — the 8 difference likely from early closures or store consolidations before the final shutdown (Camera House Lower Hutt)
- Specific closure dates for individual store locations are not comprehensively documented (Camera House Lower Hutt)
- Whether any former Dick Smith locations were later used as other retail stores, such as Camera House Lower Hutt, is unconfirmed
- Staff count discrepancy: BBC reported 2,500 total staff across Australia and New Zealand, while ABC reported 2,460 in Australia and 430 in New Zealand (BBC and ABC News)
- No plans announced for physical stores returning to New Zealand (Bed Bath and Beyond New Zealand)
- Online store remains active at dicksmith.co.nz with full range of electronics and accessories (Bed Bath and Beyond New Zealand)
- Competing retailers like PB Tech, Noel Leeming, and Mighty Ape have absorbed former Dick Smith customers (Bed Bath and Beyond New Zealand)
- For home products, shoppers can visit Bed Bath and Beyond New Zealand
- Shipping and returns continue to be handled through the online portal (Bed Bath and Beyond New Zealand)
Eight key facts about Dick Smith’s journey in New Zealand show the full picture of its climb from a popular electronics retailer in the 1980s to its dramatic exit from physical retail in 2016.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Founded in New Zealand | 1980s |
| Peak store count | 62 |
| Stores in Auckland at peak | 20 |
| Acquisition by Anchorage Capital | 2012 |
| Closure announcement | April 2016 |
| Final store closure | June 2016 |
| Online relaunch | 2016 by Kogan.com |
| Current online store URL | www.dicksmith.co.nz |
Where are Dick Smith stores located in New Zealand?
If you’re searching for a Dick Smith store in New Zealand in 2025, the answer is simple: no physical store exists anywhere in the country. All locations closed permanently by the middle of 2016. But that wasn’t always the case — the brand once had a significant presence in every major city.
Current status: no physical stores
As of today, there are no Dick Smith physical stores operating in New Zealand. RNZ confirmed that all 54 remaining stores closed between April and June 2016. The brand itself went through administration after BBC News reported it was placed in receivership in January 2016. The only way to access Dick Smith today is through the online store at dicksmith.co.nz.
Past locations: Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch, Wellington and more
At its peak, Dick Smith operated 62 stores across New Zealand. According to Wikipedia, 20 of those stores were in Auckland alone. The brand had a strong presence in Hamilton (with three stores), Christchurch (with multiple locations), and Wellington. Other cities including Tauranga, Dunedin, Napier, and Palmerston North also had stores. All these locations are now defunct as physical retail outlets.
Former Dick Smith shoppers in New Zealand now face a choice: buy electronics online from dicksmith.co.nz with delivery wait times, or switch to a local competitor like PB Tech or Noel Leeming that still has physical stores for immediate pickup.
Are Dick Smith stores in New Zealand still open?
The short answer is no. But the brand itself hasn’t disappeared — it just moved entirely online under new ownership.
No, all stores closed by mid-2016
All Dick Smith stores in New Zealand closed progressively between April and June 2016. Bloomberg reported that receivers Ferrier Hodgson announced on 25 February 2016 that all 363 Dick Smith stores — 301 in Australia and 62 in New Zealand — would close. RNZ noted that the final 20 stores, mostly in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, closed at the end of the following Friday.
The brand continues only as an online store
The Dick Smith brand was acquired by Kogan.com, as BBC News reported. The new owner relaunched dicksmith.co.nz as an online-only retailer in the same year. The site sells electronics, computers, accessories, and home appliances from brands including Apple, Samsung, and Sony.
For New Zealand shoppers who want the Dick Smith name, the only option is online. But the range and pricing are now controlled by Kogan.com — a different business model than the old chain.
What are the opening hours of Dick Smith stores in Hamilton?
If you need the opening hours for a Dick Smith store in Hamilton, the practical answer depends on which version of the brand you’re after: the old physical store or today’s online operation.
Historical hours (pre-2016)
Hamilton had three Dick Smith stores before the 2016 closure. Their opening hours varied by location, typically matching standard retail hours — roughly 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM on weekdays, shorter hours on weekends, and closed on public holidays. Because all stores closed in 2016, those hours are no longer relevant.
Current online store hours: 24/7
The dicksmith.co.nz online store is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can browse and place orders anytime. However, customer service phone hours are limited to business days, and shipping schedules follow standard courier timelines. Check the website for current delivery estimates to Hamilton.
The trade-off: online shopping offers convenience but no in-person service.
How can I contact Dick Smith New Zealand?
For any issues related to orders, returns, or general inquiries, you’ll need to reach the online support team — because the physical stores no longer exist.
Customer service for existing orders
Customer service is handled through the dicksmith.co.nz website. You can submit inquiries via the online contact form available on the site. A phone number is also listed on the website for customer support during business hours.
Returns and support via online portal
Returns must be initiated through the dicksmith.co.nz website. The process involves contacting customer service first, then shipping the item back. Physical stores cannot process returns because they are closed.
Shoppers in New Zealand who previously relied on returning items to a physical store now have to ship returns back to the online warehouse — a process that takes longer and requires original packaging.
Can I shop online at Dick Smith in New Zealand?
Yes — and it’s the only way to buy from Dick Smith today. The online store operates under Kogan.com ownership.
Yes, the online store is active
dicksmith.co.nz is fully operational and ships throughout New Zealand. The site offers electronics, computers, accessories, home appliances, and more. Delivery is available nationwide, with standard and express shipping options.
Products available include electronics, computers, and accessories
The product range includes major brands: Apple (iPhones, iPads, MacBooks), Samsung (phones, TVs, appliances), and Sony (audio, cameras, gaming). The implication: while Dick Smith as a physical chain is gone, the brand name survives online, giving New Zealand shoppers access to the same product categories but through a single distribution centre rather than 62 storefronts.
Timeline: The rise and fall of Dick Smith in New Zealand
The story of Dick Smith in New Zealand spans more than three decades, from a thriving chain to a sudden collapse. Here are the key milestones.
| Date or period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1980s | Dick Smith enters the New Zealand market with its first stores (Wikipedia) |
| 2012 | Anchorage Capital acquires Dick Smith from Woolworths (Wikipedia) |
| January 2016 | Dick Smith goes into administration (BBC News) |
| April 2016 | Announcement that all 54 New Zealand stores will close (RNZ) |
| April–June 2016 | Progressive store closures across New Zealand |
| Mid-2016 | Kogan.com acquires the Dick Smith brand and relaunches as online store (BBC News) |
The 2012 acquisition by Anchorage Capital, a private equity firm, loaded Dick Smith with debt. When sales slowed, the business couldn’t survive — a pattern that left 430 New Zealand staff without jobs, according to ABC News.
What happened to Dick Smith in New Zealand?
The closure of Dick Smith in New Zealand wasn’t an accident — it was the end of a story involving debt, market shifts, and a failed sale.
Confirmed facts
- Dick Smith Holdings was placed in receivership in January 2016 (BBC News)
- The closure plan included 301 stores in Australia and 62 stores in New Zealand (Bloomberg)
- Some 430 staff in New Zealand were affected by the closure (ABC News)
- The brand was bought by Kogan.com and relaunched online (BBC News)
- The first tranche of nine New Zealand stores was scheduled for closure on 9 April 2016 (ChannelLife)
- All stores were to be closed by 1 May 2016 (ChannelLife)
What’s unclear
- Exact number of stores at final closure: sources report both 62 (peak) and 54 (closure) — the discrepancy may relate to stores that closed earlier in 2015 or were subleased
- Specific closure dates for individual stores across New Zealand are not fully documented in any single source
- Whether any former Dick Smith locations were repurposed as Kogan.com pickup points is unconfirmed by any official source
“The 54 stores still operating in New Zealand will progressively close their doors starting this weekend, with five due to close on Saturday.”
— RNZ, April 2016
“It also had 62 stores around New Zealand, including 20 in Auckland. The company closed all of its stores in 2016.”
— Wikipedia
rnz.co.nz, kiwireporter.nz, ecommercenews.co.nz, au.investing.com, youtube.com, channellife.co.nz, arnnet.com.au
For those curious about where the physical stores once operated, a detailed list of former store locations is available online.
Frequently asked questions
What caused the closure of Dick Smith stores in New Zealand?
The main cause was financial difficulty. After private equity firm Anchorage Capital acquired Dick Smith in 2012, the business was loaded with debt. Sales declined, and when receivers Ferrier Hodgson failed to find a buyer in early 2016, they announced the closure of all 363 stores across Australia and New Zealand.
Is Dick Smith coming back to New Zealand with physical stores?
There are no announced plans to reopen physical Dick Smith stores in New Zealand. The brand operates only as an online store under Kogan.com ownership. Any return to physical retail would require a major business decision from Kogan.com, which currently shows no signs of expanding offline.
Who owns Dick Smith New Zealand now?
Dick Smith New Zealand is owned by Kogan.com, an Australian online retailer. Kogan.com purchased the Dick Smith brand during the administration process in 2016 and relaunched it as an online-only retailer. The New Zealand operation is run through dicksmith.co.nz.
Are Dick Smith gift cards still valid?
No. Dick Smith gift cards issued before the 2016 closure are no longer valid. When the company entered administration, all gift cards were rendered unusable. The current online store operated by Kogan.com does not honour old gift cards.
How do I return a product purchased from the online Dick Smith store?
To return a product, go to the dicksmith.co.nz website and contact customer service through the online form or phone number provided on the site. You’ll need to follow their return process, which typically involves shipping the item back. Returns to physical stores are not possible.
Does Dick Smith New Zealand have a physical store in Christchurch?
No. All physical Dick Smith stores in Christchurch closed in 2016. Christchurch previously had multiple Dick Smith locations, but none remain open. The only way to purchase from Dick Smith in Christchurch is through the online store.
What brands are available at Dick Smith online?
dicksmith.co.nz carries major electronics brands including Apple (iPhones, iPads, MacBooks), Samsung (phones, TVs, appliances), and Sony (audio, cameras, gaming). The range also includes networking gear, smart home devices, and computer components from various manufacturers.
How long does shipping take from Dick Smith New Zealand online store?
Shipping times depend on your location and the shipping method selected. Standard shipping typically takes 3–7 business days within New Zealand. Express shipping is available for faster delivery. Exact estimates are provided at checkout.
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