Tauranga's newest shopping complex, Tauranga Crossing near The Lakes, is open for business.

The official opening of the Tauranga Crossing this morning saw director of Tauranga Crossing Richard Stilwell and Mayor Stuart Crosby beaten by the wind.

The official unveiling by Mayor Stuart Crosby and Crossing Director, Richard Stilwell. Photos: Chris Callinan.

A gust blew the cover cloth off and unveiled the official plaque before the Mayor and Richard could formally open the shopping complex.

'May everyone that shops here get a good bargain,” Mayor Stuart Crosby said as he unveiled the plaque a second time.

Currently large retailers The Warehouse, Warehouse Stationery, and Noel Leeming, along with a few smaller retailers are open for business – with Pak'n Save to follow suit at 8.15am tomorrow morning.

Richard says stage two is in development, and announced the introduction of Event Cinemas; which will have six general admission cinemas and is set to include New Zealand's first regional Vmax cinema.

The wind decided to unveil the plaque for Mayor Stuart Crosby.

The cinema is expected to be open to the public by mid-2018 along with another dozen retail stores.

Stage three – which Tauranga Crossing director Mark Taylor says will be called The Depot, will be across the road from the main Tauranga Crossing shopping centre, will open a Gilmores bulk foods store and is due to open in late 2017.

Mark says two dozen restaurants located in the main Tauranga Crossing shopping area will begin to open their doors to patronage in late October, and will be followed by a bar and bistro called The Mill House.

He says the current shopping complex is 17,000 square meters with the final product estimated to expand to as large as 60,000.

The expansions include Event Cinemas and an enclosed mall which will host national and international brands, more dining and entertainment options and another large department store, and The Depot.

Mark says the future holds the possibility of covered parking and a walkway across State Highway 29 to join Tauranga Crossing to The Lakes District.