Travel guide to Shopping in New Zealand
Go shopping in New Zealand and immerse yourself in bustling markets, artisan foods, designer labels and gifts infused with cultural uniqueness and beauty.
Local Markets
New Zealand is home to a great variety of local markets in their setting and products and is truly Kiwi in nature.
Farmers markets
New Zealand is home to plenty of farmers markets where you get the best of the local produce available in the country. The produce ranges from fresh fruits and vegetables to also the rich and fresh seafood that is cultivated in New Zealand. The most famous farmers markets are Hawke’s Bay farmers market and Christchurch farmers market.
The Harbourside market in Wellington is one of the oldest in New Zealand. It is a weekend market ans is open only every Sunday. You can always find this market as a lively and vibrant spot with live performances and great food items. There is a popular museum very close to the market as well.
The La Cigale French market is located in a town called Parnell some distance away from Auckland. This is also a weekend market which is a gala event which makes the town a great place to visit. The rich and delicious food served at the stalls and the diverse variety of goods that are available in French style are plenty.
The Nelson market which is Saturday market is also popularly thronged by tourists to indulge in Kiwiana goodies which are things that New Zealanders believe create their identity. The Wellington underground market is also a hub of shopping not just for the diverse products available but just for the experience of the market. The Otara market in Auckland which is a Saturday morning market is rich in Pasifika culture and sell a variety of products from food, arts and crafts of the culture.
The Rotorua Night market is a haven for those looking to experience the culture of Maori. There is a diverse variety of stalls that sell food, boutique, and arts and crafts of the Maoris. There will also be special live music and dance performances of the native Maori culture. The best place to witness this market is the Tamaki Maori village.
Souvenir Shopping
The best things to take back with you from New Zealand are products that they recognise as Kiwiana found only in custom souvenir shops which range from designs of fashion icons, food items like manuka honey, chocolate fishes and gumboots, the Buzzy Bees toys to shell ashtrays.
There are also custom souvenir shops across all of New Zealand which sell products made only in New Zealand that you may not get anywhere else in the country. The Possum Merino knitwear is available only in such shops which are made of fur and wool of two specific species of a possum and sheep.
Arts and Crafts
The variety of Arts and Crafts in New Zealand will not end but you will get tired discovering and exploring it. It is an experience in itself seeing the Arts and Crafts and meeting the enthusiastic and passionate craftspeople. You find original handmade goods from the locals with love and care on one end and on the other you also find great contemporary and inquisitive art in the galleries.
Queenstown has a Creative arts and crafts market which is located in a highly scenic location next to the lake Wakatipu.
Napier is one of the most beautiful towns in New Zealand is a must visit town because after the earthquake which hit the town in 1931, the entire town was rebuilt in an Art Deco architectural style and it is named the Art Deco Capital of the world.
Iconic T&G building
The Poi room in Auckland sells jewellery, ceramics and prints made by native Kiwis.
The National Center for Glass Art is located in Whanganui known for the great graphic designs, photographs and the famous glass blowing.
Other than this all the major cities in New Zealand are home to plenty of famous and great artists who have their own galleries and the works are contemporary, beautiful to see and create a lasting impact in you once you leave.
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From Castle point at the tip of the North Island to Waipapa in the Deep South, these stunning lighthouses adorn New Zealand’s coastline. The coastline of New Zealand is dotted with over 100 lighthouses and mini lighthouses.
Maori Art
There is a plethora of diversity in the native Maori art which ranges from wood carving that you should head to Rotorua to witness and buy yourself a souvenir.
The greenstone or jade is a precious stone and is considered sacred by the Maoris. You can get yourself a carved greenstone or carve one for yourself and also buy fancy and new kinds of jewellery made from these stones in Hokitika and Greymouth.
The Ta Moko is the tattoo that you can get done in the native Maori’s patterns and it allows you to tell a story about yourself and there are great designs made.
The native maori art and crafts are displayed in Kura galleries in all the major cities of New Zealand.
Shopping for Children
It is important to keep your children happy when you are on a vacation, while shopping for souvenir’s, arts and crafts and fashion might interest them, it is essential you do shop exclusively for them which will definitely make the trip memorable for them.
The Fairy Shop in Auckland is jam-packed with everything imaginable in land of fiction and fairtytales from princesses and fairies to cowboys and pirates and there is something available here for every child to love and enjoy and take back with them. On every Friday children can get their faces painted here and there is a story time which takes place around 11:00am.
The Auckland Zoo Shop which is a great zoo to view different kinds of animals and birds and the store in the Zoo is home to a plethora of animal like goodies from toys, clothing to books. There is a special emphasis here on the native species of New Zealand.
The Remarkable sweet shop in Arrowtown is an old-fashioned sweet store where you can satisfy your craving for sweets which ensures adults get reminiscent of their childhood.
Remarkable sweet shop
Boutique and Fashion
The famous designer Karen Walker whose designs are available in many countries is a native of New Zealand. In the cities of the country you can find her famous collection of eyewear, jewellery and sportswear curated only for Kiwis.
The fashion house World is also an iconic famous designer house in New Zealand which is best known for their collection of colourful and imaginative clothes.
The Queen street in Auckland is one of the most famous shopping hub in all of New Zealand as stores of all the famous luxury brands adorn the street. The streets High street and Chancery Street which adjoin the Queen street are also known to have the best high fashion boutiques.
The Cuba street in Wellington boasts of a rich mix of the famous New Zealand fashion and designers and international labels all in one place. It is also home to one of the best places to go vintage shopping in New Zealand. Tinakori road in the city is also a haven to boutiques.
The streets of Shotover, Beach, Ballarat and Camp in Queenstown are all great destinations to engage in some splurging.
In Christchurch two famous boutiques The Tannery and The Colombo are spots that are rich in high fashion and the owners believe in hospitality and provide best care to every customer.
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Famous for everything from ski fields along its mountain peaks, snowboarding and numerous adventure activities to scenic walks and trails, floating restaurants and jelly museums, the list of places to visit in Queenstown can become as diverse as you want it to be.
Ensure that you have checked the eligibility for your New Zealand eTA. If you are from a Visa Waiver country then you can apply for an eTA regardless of the mode of travel (Air / Cruise). United States citizens, European citizens, Hong Kong citizens, United Kingdom citizens, Mexican citizens, French citizens and Dutch citizens can apply online for New Zealand eTA. United Kingdom residents can stay on New Zealand eTA for 6 months while others for 90 days.
Please apply for a New Zealand eTA 72 hours in advance of your flight.