Artist's impression of the new Pak'nSave on Te Rapa Rd. The new supermarket will be the largest Pak'nSave in the city.

Hamilton is getting a third Pak'nSave.

Foodstuff has received the go-ahead to build its largest Hamilton store opposite main competitor Countdown and mega-mall The Base.

Resource consent has been granted for the 6358sqm supermarket at 980 Te Rapa Rd, including a drive-through fuel facility.

The supermarket will sit directly across the Countdown on Eagle Way on the former Porter Group Headquarters. Since Foodstuffs applied for the resource consent, news of another store has excited shoppers

Back in February, some Countdown customers told Stuff they'd be quite happy to ditch their local supermarket in favour of cheaper options at Pak'nSave.

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One customer said he'd switch immediately and give Countdown "the boot".

GOOGLE The site on 980 Te Rapa Rd where Pakn'Save will be building their new store.

The supermarket will be located on a busy thoroughfare and hearing Commissioners Murray Kivell and Russell De Luca said the new supermarket would "create adverse traffic effects" if certain conditions were not met.

A new roundabout will be constructed at the intersection of Karewa Place, Eagle Way and Maui Street as part of the consent conditions.

The speed limit will also reduce from 80kmh to 60kmh on Wairere Drive between the Pukete Rd and Te Rapa Rd intersections.

ELLEN O'DWYER/STUFF Countdown Eagle Way. In February, some Countdown shoppers welcomed another option in Te Rapa, particularly if it had cheaper goods.

Woolworths, that owns Countdown, originally put in a submission opposing the supermarket, citing traffic concerns.

But they now appear unfazed, saying their stores are "focused on putting their best foot forward every time and welcome competition".

Foodstuffs head of corporate affairs Antoinette Laird said the company did not have a timeline for completing construction.

SCHICK CIVIL CONSTRUCTION/SUPPLIED Building is under way on a 4000sqm Countdown store in Borman Rd, Rototuna.

Meanwhile, Countdown continues its own expansion across the city, building a new 4000sqm store on Borman Rd in Rototuna.

Foundation works, a stormwater retention system and earthworks for car parking are under way and the supermarket is expected to be completed by May 2020.

Countdowns outnumber Pak'nSaves in the supermarket stakes with eight stores across Hamilton; Pak'nSave have two, on Mill and Clarence streets.