10 Best Places to Shop in Auckland, New Zealand

This gallery and shop showcases unique, beautiful contemporary jewelry by about 45 New Zealand artists who work with fine metals, precious and semi-precious stones, plastic, and wood. 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 metals with more mundane materials like rocks, seashells, or even plastic.

In 2007, this gallery opened to showcase a range of New Zealand artists working across craft, fine art, and utilitarian art objects. The couple who set it up wanted to chart their own destiny, leaving behind careers in international property law and commerce to present the best artworks they could muster. Today the environment they created has become an important place for artists to exhibit and connect with buyers. You will find small and large pieces; anything and everything can be shipped.

Always among the top New Zealand designers, this fashion label run by an informed family team has always charted its own course. Its garments for men and women are never dated and are worn by influential people who want a look that is both strong and understated. The company also carries major international fashion brands. It's near Waitematā Station (Britomart). 

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.

If you're looking for something different, this gallery exhibiting and selling contemporary New Zealand art, glass, ceramics, and jewelry is the place to go. Its location on Upper Queen Street is an easy walk from the center of town. Masterworks holds some 15 group and individual exhibitions a year, including student work, and will pack and ship any item purchased.

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.

This is a good place to see plenty of local and international brands under one roof, coupled with extremely good service and the largest cosmetics hall in the city.

The Takapuna parking lot comes alive on Sunday morning from 8 am to 1 pm with vendors selling organic cheese, meat, vegetables, homemade jams, small goods, and a slew of sweet and savory items from boutique bakers. There's also clothing from young designers, bric-a-brac, and retro china. Takapuna is about 6 km (4 miles) north of Devonport. 

If you are after New Zealand–related books, travel, poetry, and fiction, this is the place for you. Smart staffers will help you find that special volume.

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.