2 Best Places to Shop in Greater Auckland, Auckland

For many years people from all over Auckland have headed south on a Saturday morning looking for bargains to the sounds of hip-hop beats and island music. Vegetable stalls groan with produce such as taro, yams, and coconuts. More Asian food stalls are joining the traditional Polynesian tapa cloths, paua-shell jewelry, greenstone, and bone carvings, reflecting the city's increasingly multicultural profile, but sadly some junky stuff is creeping in. The market opens around 6, and stalls come down around midday. Exit the Southern Motorway at the East Tamaki off-ramp, turn left, and take the second left.

It's well worth driving the winding road to this West Coast beach to see work by some 200 artists living in the region. On display are paintings, ceramics, sculptures, jewelry, photography, and glasswork—and even books and CDs. Prices range from NZ$20 or NZ$30 to thousands of dollars. The gallery hosts regular events and occasional theme art projects that draw visitors from the city as well as locals. Note that it's closed Monday through Wednesday.