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
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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)…
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…
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.
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
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
Christchurch
A well-established Christchurch independent bookstore, Scorpio Books relocated post-earthquake to this modern central city location after several years in…
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…
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…
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:…
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…
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…
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…
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
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…
Taupo
This skinny gallery represents more than 70 artists from around NZ across a multitude of mediums: carving, painting, ceramics, jewellery… Many items are…
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…
Queenstown
Benefitting from travellers lightening their suitcases before jetting out, this 'preloved fashion boutique' is a great place to hunt for bargain designer…
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…
