Dick Smith New Plymouth: Store Closure, History & Current Options
If you’ve ever walked past the corner of Devon Street East in New Plymouth and wondered where the electronics store went, you’re not alone. The Dick Smith store that once operated at 70-72 Devon Street East (Open/Closed NZ) closed its doors in 2016, part of a nationwide collapse that left 62 New Zealand stores shuttered.
Store address in New Plymouth: 70-72 Devon Street East ·
Store status: Closed since 2016 ·
Online store status: Operational at dicksmith.co.nz
Quick snapshot
- Dick Smith closed all stores in NZ and Australia in 2016 (ABC News)
- The New Plymouth store was at 70-72 Devon Street East (Open/Closed NZ)
- PB Tech now operates at the same location (2degrees)
- Exact date of store opening remains unconfirmed
- Whether any other Dick Smith physical stores remain in New Zealand beyond the online store
- Historical opening hours of the Dick Smith store are not available
Five facts, one story: the rise and fall of a New Plymouth electronics anchor.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | 70-72 Devon Street East, New Plymouth 4310 |
| Former business | Dick Smith |
| Closure year | 2016 |
| Current occupant | PB Tech |
| Online store | dicksmith.co.nz (still operational) |
Does Dick Smith still exist?
The short answer is yes – but only online. After the entire Dick Smith retail chain collapsed in 2016, the brand was bought by Kogan.com (Wikipedia), which relaunched it as an e-commerce operation. The physical stores, including the New Plymouth location, were all closed.
What happened to the physical stores?
- Dick Smith entered receivership in February 2016 (ABC News).
- Receivers were unable to find a buyer for the chain, so all 363 stores in Australia and New Zealand were shut down over eight weeks (Otago Daily Times).
- The last physical stores closed on 3 May 2016 (Wikipedia).
Is the online store still active?
Yes, the Dick Smith website at dicksmith.co.nz is operational and run by Kogan.com (BBC News). It sells a wide range of electronics, accessories, and appliances. The online store is the only way to buy new Dick Smith branded products today.
Kogan.com turned a failed retail chain into a pure-play online brand, cutting out the cost of rent and staff. For New Plymouth shoppers, the trade-off is clear: no in-store browsing, but often lower prices than brick-and-mortar competitors.
What happened to the Dick Smith store in New Plymouth?
The New Plymouth store was part of the national chain, and its fate was sealed when the company entered administration.
The store location and history
The Dick Smith store was located at 70-72 Devon Street East, New Plymouth 4310 (Open/Closed NZ). It was in a prime retail strip in the city centre. The exact opening date is not publicly recorded, but it operated for several years before the 2016 closure.
Closure in 2016
When Dick Smith went into receivership, the New Plymouth store was one of 62 New Zealand outlets that closed (ABC News). Around 430 staff in New Zealand lost their jobs (Otago Daily Times). The store was completely emptied and shuttered by May 2016.
PB Tech takeover
Within weeks, PB Tech moved into the same premises. Stuff reported in May 2016 that PB Tech had taken over the former Dick Smith site in New Plymouth (Stuff). The address is now listed as PB Tech New Plymouth at 70 Devon Street East (2degrees).
PB Tech is a different type of retailer – it focuses on IT and business equipment rather than the consumer electronics mix that Dick Smith offered. For everyday gadgets like headphones or memory cards, the selection is narrower.
Where can I shop for electronics in New Plymouth now?
For anyone who used to rely on the Dick Smith store on Devon Street, there are a few alternatives.
PB Tech New Plymouth
PB Tech occupies the same address at 70 Devon Street East. It is open six days a week (Monday–Saturday) and stocks computers, networking gear, cables, and a limited range of consumer electronics. The phone number is 06 281 1308 (Waze).
Online options: Dick Smith website and Trade Me
The Dick Smith online store at dicksmith.co.nz is the direct successor to the brand. It offers free shipping on orders over $49 and often has competitive prices. Trade Me also has a marketplace with many Dick Smith products and other electronics second-hand or new (Trade Me).
If you’re shopping for a large appliance or a high-end laptop, PB Tech’s in-store prices may not match online-only retailers. Compare prices across dicksmith.co.nz, PB Tech, and Trade Me before buying.
Timeline: Dick Smith in New Zealand
- 1968 – Dick Smith chain founded in Australia.
- Estimated early 2000s – Dick Smith store opens in New Plymouth at 70-72 Devon Street East (exact date unconfirmed).
- February 2016 – Dick Smith chain enters administration in Australia and New Zealand.
- May 2016 – PB Tech announces takeover of former Dick Smith site in New Plymouth (Stuff).
- Current – Online store dicksmith.co.nz remains active.
Confirmed facts
- Dick Smith store in New Plymouth closed in 2016 (ABC News)
- PB Tech took over the site (Stuff)
- Online store dicksmith.co.nz is active (BBC News)
What’s unclear
- Exact date of store opening
- Whether any other Dick Smith physical stores remain in New Zealand beyond the online operation
- Historical opening hours of the Dick Smith store
PB Tech takes over former Dick Smith site in New Plymouth
– Stuff.co.nz, May 2016 (Stuff)
Dick Smith will close all of its stores across Australia and New Zealand after receivers failed to find a buyer.
– ABC News, February 2016 (ABC News)
For New Plymouth shoppers, the closure of the local Dick Smith store meant losing a convenient one-stop shop for home electronics. The arrival of PB Tech filled the space but with a different focus. The online continuation of the Dick Smith brand offers an alternative, but it lacks the immediacy of walking into a store. The choice is clear: buy from a specialist retailer in town, or order from the online brand that replaced the old chain.
crsinsolvencyservices.com.au, bloomberg.com, channellife.com.au, facebook.com, youtube.com, pb-tech-new-plymouth.wheree.com
The retail landscape in New Plymouth has seen several shifts, including the EB Games New Plymouth closure in January 2025, following the earlier departure of Dick Smith in 2016.
Frequently asked questions
How long was Dick Smith open in New Plymouth?
The exact opening date is not publicly recorded, but it was open for several years before the 2016 closure.
Did Dick Smith have any other stores in Taranaki?
There is no record of a second Dick Smith store in the Taranaki region; the New Plymouth location was the only one.
Is the Dick Smith website reliable for purchases?
Yes, the site is operated by Kogan.com, a publicly listed company, and has been active since 2016. It uses standard payment security and shipping processes.
What was the store’s opening hours before closure?
Historical opening hours are not available, but typical Dick Smith stores in New Zealand were open Monday–Saturday and limited hours on Sunday.
How does PB Tech compare to Dick Smith?
PB Tech focuses on IT and business equipment, while Dick Smith sold a broader range of consumer electronics. PB Tech is stronger for computers and networking, weaker for home entertainment and accessories.
Can I return Dick Smith products to PB Tech?
No, PB Tech is a separate company. Returns and warranty claims on Dick Smith products must be handled through the online store.
Are there any Dick Smith clearance sales online?
The online store occasionally runs sales, but there are no permanent clearance outlets. Check dicksmith.co.nz and Trade Me for discounted stock.
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