Just as Boxing Day sales got into full swing, Westfield Mall in Newmarket was forced to be evacuated, forcing mass crowds of eager shoppers to flee the stores.
A video posted on social media shows crowds of people heading for the mall's exit as sirens blared.
Fire and Emergency (FENZ) told Newshub an automatic fire alarm went off at the shopping centre after a fog cannon was accidentally activated at 11:11am. FENZ sent two fire trucks and have since left the scene.
"All the shops started to close their doors and people just started rushing to the exits. It was madness absolute madness," a shopper told NZ Herald.
Dressmart Onehunga was also packed with a video on social media showing crowds trying to cram their way into the shopping centre.
Inside the mall was a similar story, with footage showing the Nike store packed with people.
