GrabOne to relaunch under new owner Paradigm Group after liquidation shutdown

But now, for an undisclosed sum, the platform is relaunching under new ownership with 30 local businesses on board for its launch.

Paradigm Group chief executive Jonty Hodge said when GrabOne shut down, merchants lost a channel that was genuinely working for them.

“It’s a really well-known, iconic brand, and we thought it was definitely something worth saving,” Hodge said.

“At the end of the day, it was about how we can bring it back to life and bring it back to its roots. We’ve assembled some of the people with that history and that understanding of when they went through that growth period to understand what worked in the past, and how we can apply that to today.”

One of those is GrabOne’s new head, Paul Raeburn.

As one of the platform’s original employees, Raeburn said GrabOne had a valuable place in the ecosystem.

“Last year’s liquidation marked the end of one chapter, but we always knew the platform still had so much to offer Aotearoa. This isn’t just a relaunch for nostalgia’s sake, but a reset focused on quality and long-term value,” Raeburn said.

“Speaking to merchants, it’s clear that there were parts of GrabOne that weren’t working, but the platform still helped businesses reach new customers and optimise inventory.”

As to what didn’t work, Raeburn highlighted the old platform’s reliance on email, something he said was outdated for today’s customers.

Instead, the platform, alongside Paradigm’s other businesses, would utilise a raft of digital marketing channels to give deals more visibility.

There will also be enhancements in technology around payment platforms, to ensure a better experience for merchants in terms of visibility and payment itself.

“Where we see the exciting part is to be back in with all of the tips and tricks that we now have at our disposal.

“We’re really thinking about being that discovery marketplace as well, our key focus is around those experiences, escapes and activities.”

Paradigm Group has several other businesses under its portfolio, including Aro Digital, Obvious Brand Partners, Digitella, Kepla Systems and NoticeBoards.

Hodge said GrabOne’s relaunch would make use of those company synergies and utilise talent and capability across the platform.

This includes professional photography, strategic media buying, creative storytelling and performance insights.

“For an example, if businesses want to also then grow their own brand at the same time as well as using GrabOne as an acquisition channel, being able to offer those capabilities is really awesome,” Hodge added.

“We have quite a large task force across the relaunch, and we do want to invest heavily into it, particularly from a tech perspective and the offering that we provide.”

The pair are confident they can return the platform to its roots.

“We just really want to reignite the brand that it had been, which was a really trusted way for customers to be able to buy, discover and get good value for money.

“And then vice versa for merchants and businesses to be able to acquire new customers and optimise their inventory. Our ambition is to reach and engage with hundreds of thousands of Kiwis and offer that service that they are asking for.”

Global Marketplace New Zealand Limited, which previously owned and operated GrabOne, went into liquidation in October 2025.

Liquidators Daniel Stoneman and Neale Jackson, of Calibre Partners, said the business went into liquidation due to “funding constraints”.

Stoneman and Jackson identified more than $16.5 million owed to creditors, including Inland Revenue and staff.

The pair said most of the money owed is $9.2m to a related party creditor.

The next report on the state of the company’s liquidation is expected in April.

Tom Raynel is a multimedia business journalist for the Herald, covering small business, retail and tourism.