76 Best Shopping in New Zealand

Te Puia was established in 1963 to preserve Māori heritage and crafts. At the institute you can watch master wood-carvers and expert flax weavers at work and see New Zealand greenstone (jade) sculpted into jewelry. The institute's shop and gallery, called Āhua, sells fine examples of this work, and the prices ranging from a few hundred dollars for simple carved pieces to thousands of dollars for museum-quality sculptures and other crafted pieces reflect the quality and amount of workmanship.

Established in 1854 as New Zealand's first department store, Ballantynes is an institution in the South Island. Far from allowing its traditions to slow it down, it has morphed into a world-class shopping experience with some of the best New Zealand and international designer brand names all under one roof. Allow plenty of time to browse the racks and shelves, where you will find everything from the latest trends, from designer concept-store items to New Zealand gifts and wine, to the very best crystal and china. When you need a break there are two cafés and a wine bar. They also have a store at the departure lounge of Christchurch Airport, where you can pick up your purchases and take advantage of tax-exempt shopping.

Burning Issues Gallery is one of the best places in Northland to buy locally made arts and crafts and work from some of the country's best artisans. Look for beautifully carved pounamu (New Zealand greenstone) and bone pendants. The silver and gold jewelry and small ceramic items are perfect for tiny take-home gifts.

For any Wellingtonian's trip "over-the-hill," C'est Cheese is their first essential stop. The shelves are stocked with soft and hard cheeses, all made in-house from nearby milk supplies. Above all, C'est prioritizes matchmaking; they make the cheese, then they'll help you match it with their range of locally sourced goods that will complete your platter.

This store showcases unique contemporary pieces by about 45 New Zealand artists who work with fine metals and stones to create beautiful jewelry. Many of the artists have works in the New Zealand National Collection, and customers who purchased items at an early stage of a maker's career are being rewarded with significant increases in value. Look out for works that combine precious metal with more mundane materials like rocks, seashells, or even plastic.

On Sunday, between 7:30 am and 1 pm, folks flock to this outdoor food market on the waterfront. Organic produce, cheese, fresh fish and meats are the main draws. There's also a plethora of food trucks serving coffee and international street food.

Jens Hansen craftspeople have long been known for their skilled gold and silver jewelry creations. Contemporary pieces are handmade at the workshop/showroom, and many are set with precious stones or local pounamu (jade). The focus here changed when Jens crafted the precious "One Ring" of Lord of the Rings film trilogy fame. The original prototype is on display, and this is now the only place where an officially authorized replica ring can be purchased.

This fascinating spot sells opossum products and houses a mini museum about the opossum's effects on New Zealand's environment. Fur items include hats, gloves, and rugs; a soft blend of merino wool and opossum fur is also made into sweaters, scarves, and socks.

The sign hanging above this gift shop sets the tone—the letters are shaped from paua shell, which resembles abalone. You'll find one-off bags, place mats, picture frames, cushions, jewelry, and many other handmade items.

This independent bookstore started in the early 1970s and has gathered a cult following over the years. The shop stocks a wide range of fiction, cooking, and history books as well as design studies, philosophy tomes, and travelogues. It's a great place to spend a few hours browsing.

Always among the top New Zealand designers, this fashion label run by an informed family team has always charted its own course. You'll find its garments for men and women are never dated and are worn by very influential people who want a look that is both strong and understated.

This artist-run hot glass studio and gallery offers live demonstrations four days a week at 12:30 pm. Its collection includes a mix of high-end sculpture, glass tapestries, and souvenirs.

This retail precinct in the lower levels of a big bank building offers standout local designer brands, including Macpac, Partridge Jewellers, Superette, Glassons, Hallensteins Brothers, the North Face, Platypus, and Merchant. There's also a Mecca Maxima cosmetics store and an ANZ bank, along with eight levels of parking.

Street-savvy clothing brands like Adidas and Herschel Supply Co. fill the shelves here, but the real reason to come in is to check out the popular, local Huffer label.

Napier's Art Deco Trust takes its role as an arbiter of the movement's style and maintains a perfectly laid-out shop that sells everything from table lamps to ceramics, as well as a selection of hats, toys, jewelry, rugs, and wineglasses. Aficianados of art deco will find a range of reproduction items here that speak to the era without eye-watering prices.

This independent contemporary gallery shows both international and local artists plus occasionally hosts talks and seminars. The most up to date list of events and shows is on the gallery's website.

This friendly and locally owned store sells new and second-hand books with a strong focus on New Zealand fiction and nonfiction.

For foodie treats, stop by Barker's to try fruit chutneys, fruit syrups, sauces, spreads, and tasty jams. They do good gift boxes, and they ship overseas, too.

This design store–cum–gallery is Thames's best option for buying local arts and crafts, including jewelry, pottery, weaving, and paintings.

This is considered one of New Zealand's leading independent bookstores (and they are becoming a rare breed).

In an old apple cool store (where apples were stored at cool temperatures after being picked), this gallery is filled with well-priced, New Zealand–made art and craft work. The work, produced by artists from the Nelson and West Coast regions, includes paintings, sculpture, textiles, paua-shell items, ceramics, glasswork, and jewelry. They can arrange to ship your hard-to-travel-with purchases home in one piece.

Locals were initially resistant to the arrival of this Australian giant, but they quickly came around when exposed to its range of high-end brands previously unavailable in Wellington. Featuring a lovely early-19th-century facade, this three-level department store is an absolute must for the discriminating shopper. There is a wide range of women's and men's fashion, perfume, household goods, and more.

The delicious sweets at de Spa Chocolatier's pair Belgian chocolate with Kiwi ingredients and fruit fillings (among other delectable things). Here you can watch the chocolatiers at work through a glass-walled kitchen, and they conduct factory tours. They also make a special line of sugar-free chocolate. The factory and showroom are on the way to Ferrymead Heritage Park and Sumner.

Based on the gorgeous decor alone, this store focused on leather accessories is well worth a visit. The leather in their products is all ethically and locally sourced.

This is a cool gift shop with a relaxed atmosphere offering an extensive stock of artisan-made jewelry, clothing, art, housewares, even a line of cheeky socks. There is something for everyone here.

If you've left Christchurch a bit late for breakfast, about 30 minutes south in the Selwyn district, stop at the Dunsandel Store. It's a fascinating mix of local store, deli, and café with excellent food. The cabinets are stuffed with tasty sandwiches and baked goods. They have a good range of breakfasts and all-day treats made from mostly local and organic produce. There are tables indoors and out, surrounded by a courtyard full of fruit trees and vegetables.

This small but thriving business near Stratford is turning possum, a local environmental pest, into high-end items using all-natural tanning processes. Designer fur and leather products such as hats, rugs, coats, and scarves are sold.

Thanks to leading New Zealand, Australian, French, Italian, Turkish, and Danish labels, this boutique has the best selection of designer clothing in town. It also stocks plus-size items, as well as European shoes. If you work up an appetite browsing, just wander through to the adjoining bakery and cafés.

This spot sells camping gear and outdoor clothing from international brands as well as footwear.

On Saturday morning, the northern end of Thames's main street is transformed into a bustling market. Stalls line the street, with vendors selling local organic produce, cheeses, and beverages as well as antiques, jewelry, and arts and crafts. Every second Saturday of the month, there's a dedicated craft market, too.