A new McDonald’s restaurant is nearing completion in Pakuranga, Auckland, rising from the site of a fire that forced the closure of the franchise nearly a year ago. Demolition of the fire-damaged building began in May 2025, according to reports in the Times newspaper.
The original McDonald’s restaurant was significantly damaged by a fire on May 5, 2025, prompting an immediate investigation. A report in the Times on May 6, 2025, detailed the initial response to the blaze. Franchise owner Amon Jones described the impact of the fire, stating to the Times that “in three minutes the business was gone.”
The fire prompted a swift response from authorities and a subsequent investigation into the cause. The demolition process commenced less than three weeks after the fire, as reported by the Times on May 26, 2025. Jones spoke with the newspaper during the demolition phase, detailing the immediate aftermath of the incident.
The Pakuranga McDonald’s is owned and operated by a local franchisee, Amon Jones. The Times, a locally-owned publication founded in 1972, has provided ongoing coverage of the incident and the subsequent rebuilding efforts.
