4 Best Places to Shop in Christchurch and Canterbury, New Zealand

This retail precinct in the lower levels of a big bank building offers fashion brands galore, including Superette, Glassons, Hallensteins, the North Face, Merchant, Patridge Jewelers, UGG, and Platypus Shoes. 

A new take on a neighborhood mall, this haven for food and fashion fans includes a stylish mix of designer clothes, eats, salons, and gifts along with an arthouse cinema. Shops to spend time browsing include Industria for homewares, and NZ-based fashion designers Annah Stretton and Repetoire for frocks and high-quality clothing. It's located just outside the central city, in Sydenham. Every Friday morning, an indoor market showcases an exclusive selection of local Christchurch and Canterbury producers to display their scrumptious artisan food, hand-made gifts and all kinds of creative goods.

Dubbed Christchurch's new retail heart, the Crossing is an artfully designed precinct boasting top international and local brands. Walking through the outdoor courtyards and laneways lined with impressive contemporary sculptures, you will find designer clothes and shoes, along with a florist, cafés, beauty salons, a bakery, and even a gourmet supermarket.

It is one of those unlikely projects that would probably never have gotten off the ground in Christchurch before the earthquakes: turning an old former industrial tannery on the banks of the Heathcote River into a Victorian shopping mall. Not only that, but the developer had each brick removed, cleaned, then put back once the buildings were reinforced. With its spectacular architecture, The Tannery's now an interesting place to head, with quirky shops, fashion, deluxe cinemas, and a fabulous cake shop and deli. Try Mitchelli's Cafe Rinato for tasty food in a friendly atmosphere or The Brewery for craft beers and superb wood-fired pizza.