 In 2000, Westfield began a 16-month, $80 million redevelopment program.The result was the first "Street" entertainment and leisure precinct in New Zealand, launched at WestCity in July 2001.In a 2008 rating of New Zealand shopping centres by a retail expert group, Westfield WestCity received three out of four stars based on the criteria of amount of shopping area, economic performance, amenity and appeal as well as future growth prospects.