Shopping in New Zealand
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Toad Hall
Locally grown fruit, organic veggies, frozen yoghurt and ice cream.
reviewed
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Illicit
If you're looking for a lasting memento of your trip to Auckland, have an icon etched into your skin at the well-regarded Illicit tattoo studio. If going home with a volcano on your bicep seems too over the top, it does piercing too: specialising in ear stretching, large-gauge and genital jewellery.
reviewed
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Untouched World
At the Arts Centre, Untouched World has quality NZ-made clothing. Clothes may be made of ‘mountainsilk’ (machine-washable fine merino wool) or ‘merinomink’ (a blend of merino wool and possum fur).
reviewed
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Rosy Glow Chocolate
No Collingwood visit would be complete without dipping a toe into Rosy Glow. Chocoholics will go nuts for handmade confection produced with love.
reviewed
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D
Mountain Designs
Closed until further notice.
For camping gear, hiking boots and outdoor equipment, head to Mountain Designs near the intersection of Colombo and Lichfield Sts.
reviewed
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Ballantynes
A venerable Christchurch department store selling men’s and women’s fashions, cosmetics, travel goods and speciality NZ gifts. Ballantynes was one of the first stores to reopen in the CBD following the earthquakes.
reviewed
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Grahamstown Market
On Saturday mornings the Grahamstown Market fills the street with organic produce and handicrafts.
reviewed
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Fowlers Oysters
To buy fresh Bluff oysters, visit Fowlers Oysters on the way into town on the left.
reviewed
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Wardy’s
At Wardy’s you can stock up on (mainly) organic fruit, vegetables and meat.
reviewed
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Craft Market
This fascinating area of ancient buildings and narrow streets is now home to bookshops, antique stores, galleries, herbalists and more. The Woolstore has a café, tat and souvenirs, and the Auto Museum for car buffs (the racing cars from the '30s through '80s are particularly cool). Upstairs, there's a craft market and giant novelty chess set. Around the corner at the Photo Shoppe , you can get an olde-style photo of yeeself in period dress-ups for $30.
reviewed
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Victoria Park Market
Victoria Park Market, a 20min walk west of Queen St, has a huge variety of goods including clothes, pottery, leather work, handicrafts and so on. Just the spot to spend the afternoon searching for that perfect kiwi t-shirt, tiki keyring or lambswool ruggie. Get a cheap massage after all that shopping and chill out in one of the cafes. Cheap massages are also available, and there's live entertainment on weekends.
reviewed
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Hailwood
Ladies and gentlemen no longer have to pick through other boutiques' racks looking for local designer Adrian Hailwood's smart and playful pieces; they're all consolidated here in his own-label store. (Even he's here, working out the back.) Expect his and hers shirts and jumpers made from divine silk or velvet fabrics with a juvenile-retro woodland print, or classic '50s cuts in Western fabrics.
reviewed
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Little Brother
One for the fellows, Little Brother stocks its own line of street-smart streetwear that's understated tucked-and-tailored. Designs are consciously created and made in NZ. Also in store, look for T-shirts emblazoned by iconic music label Flying Nun, and miniature Little Brother pieces for boys (aged one to eight) under the Little Shit label.
reviewed
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Fingers
This gallery-cum-shop is a treasure trove of precious things designed and crafted by around 50 local jewellers. Individual pieces may reference nature, NZ icons and identity. Materials used include precious metals, shells, fabrics, stone and found objects. Fingers has been around for over 30 years, and hosts regular solo and group shows.
reviewed
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Bike Shed
Bike Shed hires out mountain bikes from $35 per day, including helmet and lock. Ask them for updates on the Mountain to Sea Ohakune-to-Whanganui bike track, which has been ascribed ‘Quick Start’ status as part of the proposed New Zealand Cycle Trail project.
reviewed
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Children's Bookshop
This sprawling shop has shelves chock-a-block with stories, adventures and sneakily educative titles. The excellent NZ section stocks supreme children's authors such as Margaret Mahy and Pamela Allen, as well as Maori myths. Helpful staff can help you choose a book to suit your toddler to your young adult.
reviewed
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Records Records
This near-legend of a shop, with records stacked all about, seems constantly on the verge of closing down, but clings to life by the skin of its teeth. Do us a favour – hunt it out and buy a record. Places like this need to be kept alive, especially here in the homeland of NZ indie music.
reviewed
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toi o tahuna
Exclusively NZ art, with around half the work from contemporary Maori artists. Around toi o tahuna, you can also explore other galleries in chic Church Lane. Ask for the Fine Arts Galleries Walking Trail map at the i-SITE.
reviewed
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Originz
This gift shop is filled with local crafts, including cards, soaps, clocks, candles, paintings and pottery. You’ll find unique, reasonably priced objects, and it’s all proudly made in NZ. A good place for unusual gifts that are easy to transport home. It’s off Ardmore St.
reviewed
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Champions of the World
Pick up a hat, T-shirt, key ring or tie from the Kiwi sporting code of Rugby Union. Only problem is, official merchandise comes in one colour: All Blacks. Great retro one-day cricket gear worn by the Black Caps is also available for any budding Ewan Chatfields.
reviewed
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Mainly Tramping
For all your specialist outdoor needs, be they tramping, kayaking or mountain climbing, this is the place. Staff here are knowledgeable and helpful; rental of tramping gear is available. Other stores selling outdoor equipment are found on and around Mercer St.
reviewed
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Barrys Bay Cheese
At Barrys Bay, on the western side of Akaroa Harbour (12km from Akaroa), is the enticing Barrys Bay Cheese, where you can taste and purchase fine cheddar, havarti and gouda. Crackers and chutney are available for a spontaneous seaside snack.
reviewed
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Tolaga Bay Cashmere Company
Just off the main street, Tolaga Bay Cashmere Company inhabits the art-deco former council building. You can watch the knitters at work and then purchase one of their delicate handiworks; the seconds are sold at a discount.
reviewed
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Marbecks
This long-established music supplier stocks all genres, including NZ-made and children's (such as Baby Jazz, and albums by 'Bratz', NZ's number-one selling doll). Staff's can-do attitude can help with classics, country and hip-hop too.
reviewed
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Gallery Takeaway
Next door to Foveaux Hotel, Gallery Takeaway does arguably the planet’s finest fish and chips, and has a small tribute to the sadly lamented Bluff paua-shell house. If fresh oysters aren’t in season, try a Blue Cod meal ($13).
reviewed