Christchurch
In a city mourning the loss of its heritage, this post-earthquake conversion of a 19th-century tannery couldn't be more welcome. The Victorian buildings…
Must-see shopping in New Zealand
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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…
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The West Coast
Linked to Ngāti Waewae, a local hapū (subtribe) of the broader Ngāi Tahu tribe, this stronghold of pounamu carving displays traditional and contemporary…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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)…
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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…
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Queenstown
Arguably Queenstown's most interesting store, inside inarguably the town's oldest building; Vesta sells a collection of prints, jewellery and homeware as…
Ponsonby & Karangahape Rd
Excellent independent bookshop with a great selection of NZ authors and NZ-themed books.
Wellington
Fancy duds for dudes: great service and sharp tailoring for the capital's cool cats.
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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…
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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…
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Queenstown
Be prepared for industrial-strength levels of whimsy in this gallery devoted to the work of pooch-loving local artist, Ivan Clarke. Hanging alongside his…
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The West Coast
Take time to sample Blackball's namesake salami, beloved up and down the West Coast. The garlic and peppercorn varieties have a kick, the venison version…
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Dunedin
This cooperative of Dunedin designers sells high-end fashion, jewellery and homewares made by its 12 members and special guests. You'll find bright and…
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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…
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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…
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Christchurch
This pretty little stretch of pastel Spanish Mission–style shops was described as NZ's most beautiful street when it was completed in 1932. Fully restored…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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Queenstown
Occupying an attractive 1863-built Freemason's Hall on the lakefront, Artbay is always an interesting place to peruse, even if you don't have $10,000 to…
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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…
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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…
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Christchurch
A well-established Christchurch independent bookstore, Scorpio Books relocated post-earthquake to this modern central city location after several years in…
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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…
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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…
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The West Coast
Juergen Schacke's large-scale nature photography takes centre stage at this gallery/gift shop, which also sells an excellent range of NZ-made craft:…
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Queenstown
Stock up on local and imported confectionery (fudge, chocolate truffles, boiled lollies – you name it!) at this Wonka-esque pantry. There's another branch…
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Queenstown
Call in to ogle large-format, perspex-finished NZ landscapes from Queenstown-based photographer Stephan Romer. You may want to leave your credit card in…
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The West Coast
Call in on weekdays to watch the blowers at work at the furnace producing glistening glass birds, multicoloured bowls and stemware. And yes, these fragile…
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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…
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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…
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Taupo
This skinny gallery represents more than 70 artists from around NZ across a multitude of mediums: carving, painting, ceramics, jewellery… Many items are…
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The West Coast
The town's best one-stop shop, this co-op showcases a wide range of local work, including pounamu (greenstone), jewellery, flax handbags, hand-coloured…
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Queenstown
Benefitting from travellers lightening their suitcases before jetting out, this 'preloved fashion boutique' is a great place to hunt for bargain designer…
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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…
