Must-see shopping in North Island

  • Toi Hauāuru Studio

    Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula

    Run by local artist Simon Te Wheoro, this excellent gallery/shop is located 2km from Raglan on the road from Hamilton. Contemporary artwork and sculpture…

  • ArohArt

    Coromandel Peninsula

    Apparel, jewellery, homewares, prints and carving all come with a Māori design influence at this Māori-owned store. Most of the work is by Māori artists…

  • St Kevin's Arcade

    Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd

    Built in 1924, this historic, renovated shopping arcade has interesting stores selling vintage clothing and organic and sustainable goods. The arcade also…

  • Unity Books

    Wellington

    Sets the standard for every bookshop in the land, with dedicated NZ tables piled high, plus regular book launches, author readings and literary events. We…

  • Bounty Store

    Coromandel Peninsula

    Excellent arts-and-crafts shop with loads of local products and a quirky selection of Kiwiana works. Highly recommended for distinctive souvenirs and…

  • Vinyl Destination

    Tauranga

    Vinyl Destination is far more than a record store – it’s music incorporated, with a bar, beer garden, live-music venue and even a radio station (105.4FM)…

  • Slow Boat Records

    Wellington

    Country, folk, pop, indie, metal, blues, soul, rock, Hawaiian nose-flute music – it's all here at Slow Boat, Wellington's long-running music shop and Cuba…

  • Women's Bookshop, Ponsonby.

    Women’s Bookshop

    Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd

    Excellent independent bookshop with a great selection of NZ authors and NZ-themed books.

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    Mandatory

    Wellington

    Fancy duds for dudes: great service and sharp tailoring for the capital's cool cats.

  • Lava Glass

    Taupo

    More than 600 unique glass sculptures fill the garden and surroundings of this gallery, around 10km north of Taupo on SH5. Glass-blowing displays and an…

  • Taupo Market

    Taupo

    Plenty of food stalls and trucks, local souvenirs, arts and crafts and a scattering of produce are all good reasons to make your first coffee of the day…

  • Kaiwaka Cheese Shop

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    It's an unusual spot for a Dutch-style delicatessen, but the Kaiwaka Cheese Shop has long been an essential stop for travelling foodies seeking some…

  • Rākai Jade

    Rotorua

    Purchase off-the-shelf pounamu (greenstone/jade) pieces, or work with Rākai's on-site team of local Māori carvers to design and carve your own pendant or…

  • Moore Wilson's

    Wellington

    A call-out to self-caterers: this positively swoon-inducing grocer is one of NZ's most committed supporters of independently produced and artisanal…

  • Waiheke Wine Centre

    Waiheke Island

    Located in Oneroa's main street, this well-stocked and authoritative store features wine from all of Waiheke's vineyards, and is a good place to pick up…

  • Underground Market

    Wellington

    On Saturday mornings (and the occasional Sunday) the car park under Frank Kitts Park is filled with stalls selling interesting craft, artsy gifts, clothes…

  • Harbourside Market

    Wellington

    Around 25,000 locals visit this market every Sunday, shopping for everything from a jar of raspberry jam to an heirloom carrot, paleo sourdough loaf,…

  • Otara Flea Market

    Auckland

    Held in the car park between the Manukau Polytech and the Ōtara town centre, this market has a palpable Polynesian atmosphere and is good for South…

  • Jet Collective

    Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula

    Gallery-shop showcasing 100% Raglan artists with everything from music CDs and mixed-media pieces through to retro Kiwiana-inspired work. It’s also a good…

  • Bello

    Wellington

    A sweet little boutique full of gorgeous things – not least of which are the charming staff, who will point you in the direction of designer Euro…

  • The Woodturners Studio

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    Pop in and say hi to master woodturner Rick Taylor at his workshop and store. Items crafted from millennia-old kauri – prehistoric timber recovered from…

  • Flying Out

    Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd

    Interesting vinyl aplenty overflows at this compact record shop, which is also a top place to pick up recordings from NZ musicians. Cool T-shirts make it…

  • Wellington Night Market

    Wellington

    Nocturnal fun and games on Cuba St, with international foods aplenty and more buskers and performers than you have eyes and ears. On Saturdays it moves a…

  • Kura Gallery

    Taupo

    This skinny gallery represents more than 70 artists from around NZ across a multitude of mediums: carving, painting, ceramics, jewellery… Many items are…

  • Kura Gallery

    Viaduct Harbour & Wynyard Quarter

    Tucked away behind the Viaduct Harbour restaurant strip, Kura is a good place to find art, crafts and design from Māori artists. Works for sale include…

  • Poi Room

    Parnell & Newmarket

    An excellent showcase of work by NZ artists and designers, including prints, paintings, ceramics, jewellery and homewares. Many of the items for sale…

  • Kura

    Wellington

    Contemporary, edgy and progressive Māori and NZ art: paintings, carvings, ceramics, jewellery and sculpture. A gorgeous gallery – come for a look even if…

  • Goodness

    Wellington

    There's goodness by the bucketload here, from the charmingly OTT staff through to lovely NZ jewellery, nail polish, belts, shoes, jeans and dresses from…

  • Avondale Sunday Markets

    Auckland

    This large, popular market has a strong Asian and Polynesian atmosphere and is excellent for fresh produce. Take the train from Britomart station to…

  • Hunters & Collectors

    Wellington

    Beyond the best-dressed window in NZ (since 1985) you'll find off-the-rack and vintage clothing (punk, skate, Western and mod), plus shoes and accessories.

  • Cross Street Market

    Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd

    Vintage apparel, art and design from NZ craftspeople and good coffee make this raffish market a highlight of exploring Karangahape Rd's bohemian scene.

  • Soul Shoes

    Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula

    World famous in Raglan since 1973, Soul Shoes’ range of handmade leather footwear has been joined by equally cool satchels, backpacks and bags.

  • Crushes

    Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd

    Sells an excellent selection of arts, crafts, foodstuffs and homewares from local NZ designers. Also an interesting array of vintage clothing.

  • Aotea Community Art Gallery

    Hauraki Gulf Islands

    This eclectic showcase for the island's artsy fraternity sells everything from paintings and sculpture to handmade soap and local honey.

  • Zambesi

    Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd

    Designed by Liz and Neville Findlay, the iconic Zambesi label offers sought-after NZ clothing coveted by both locals and internationals.

  • Torpedo7

    Taupo

    Ginormous sporting and equipment store selling everything you need for cycling, motorbiking, snow sports, camping, tramping and more.

  • Brown & Co

    Wellington

    Your one-stop-shop for stuffed bats, Jesus terrariums, monkey skulls, rabbit feet, art books and kooky gifts for 'house and homme'.

  • Kate Sylvester

    Parnell & Newmarket

    One of NZ's most respected designers, Kate Sylvester's playful and stylish designs often feature interesting and vibrant fabrics.

  • Tony Sly Pottery

    Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula

    Subtle and natural colours and a mix of rustic and more modern designs feature at this store and workshop at Raglan Wharf.

  • Napier Urban Farmers Market

    Napier

    Score some superfresh local produce: fruit, vegies, bread, coffee, dairy products, honey, wine… Who needs supermarkets?