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Auckland's main shopping precincts for clothes and shoes are Queen Street, the Britomart precinct behind the train station and Newmarket; Queen Street is particularly good for outdoor gear, duty-free goods, greenstone jewelry, and souvenirs and big-name international brands. O'Connell and High streets also have a good smattering of designer boutiques, bookstores, and other specialty shops. Ponsonby is known for its design stores and fashion boutiques.
This independent contemporary gallery shows both international and local artists, many outside the mainstream, and also hosts talks and seminars. There's a small shop where you might buy the work of a future superstar, or just something you like.
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.
