Best Auckland Gift Shops
We often get asked where to shop in Auckland. Especially if visitors are at the end of a New Zealand tour and want to buy gifts or a special momento of their trip to Aotearoa. Rather than leave last-minute gift shopping to the airport, here’s a selection of popular city shops we recommend en-route, tried and tested by visitors as they walk with us.
KIWI CRAFTS
Pauanesia - 35 High Street
Pauanesia's collection of printed home textiles capture the beauty, the colours, and the spirit of our land - in cushions, tablecloths, tea towels and table runners. Their range also includes a Merino/Possum collection of scarves, wraps, hand-cosies and throws.We especially like their greenstone or pounamu jewellery comprising necklaces and earrings, all reasonably priced. Plus their colourful stuffed Kiwi birds which always evoke an ‘ahhhhhhh that’s so cute!’ from visitors.
The shop collaborates with local Kiwi jewelers, artisans, and ceramic studios to fill Pauanesia with beautiful distinctive items; all with a New Zealand story. You can shop online too.
Obsidian - 101 Chancery Square
A carefully curated range of art, prints, jewelry, Kiwiana inspired gifts and games, this shop is beautifully presented and the staff are really helpful. One visitor on tour had a firm idea of a gift (which they didn’t stock) so they helpfully directed us onto another local retailer. Definitely worth a visit to peaceful and classy Chancery Square.
The Fantail House - 237 Parnell Road
This expansive shop has been selling and showcasing New Zealand products and crafts for more than 30 years. There is something for everyone being central Auckland’s largest gift store. Hidden down an alley in Parnell Village, this gem offers a great range of authentic New Zealand pieces from some of the country's leading artists and designers.
JEWELRY:
Fingers Gallery - 2 Kitchener Street
Opposite Auckland’s Art Gallery is where you’ll find Fingers. They sell contemporary New Zealand jewelry re-interpreting local materials such as bone, stone and paua shell into bespoke personal treasures. Make sure you also browse the drawers under the glass display cases for hidden treasures. Fingers represents the work of over fifty New Zealand artists encompassing a diverse range of skills and ideas.
MAORI ART:
Kura Gallery - 95A Customs Street West, The Viaduct
Kura showcases the best of Maori and New Zealand art and design featuring traditional and contemporary Maori carving, original artworks, innovative design, unique jewellery, furniture and genuine pounamu or greenstone. Well worth the walk downtown with super knowledgeable staff. Find out more
SHIRTS AND MERINO WOOL:
Global Culture - 92 Queen Street
This shop features quality tee shirts, hoodies and merino clothing featuring designs from New Zealand artists. Printed images usually portray native birds, animals and the Kiwi landscape. We like that they also support conservation causes through garment sales. Find out more
Untouched World - 20 High Street
Untouched World are New Zealand’s premier designer of beautiful, easy wear, easy care pieces with a large emphasis on sustainably grown fibres. Their garments use merino, eco possum and organic cotton and a percentage of every purchase goes directly to the Untouched World™ Charitable Trust (UWCT) which supports students focused on sustainable cause leadership. Not cheap but very covetable, timeless and elegant clothing.
Find out more
NEW ZEALAND CHOCOLATE:
Bohemein Chocolates - 12 O’Connell St, CBD
New Zealand cows produce some of the best milk in the world so it stands that our locally produced chocolate rates highly too. Bohemien chocolates are preservative free and use real, natural ingredients, so when you taste strawberry, it’s made from real strawberries! Our favourite is the sea-salt caramel - hooks us every time! Find out more
New Zealand might not be the cheapest shopping destination in the world because of our small-scale production. But our artists, designers and craftspeople are very talented at creating innovative and heart-warming gifts for every age. Another gift idea for visitors planning a trip to New Zealand is a Hello Auckland walking tour with us - check out Gift Vouchers here.
Image credit: Global Culture website. Copy credit: Some copy adapted in part from retailer websites. Disclaimer - Aucky Walky Tours is not incentivised to feature or promote any local retailers.This is their genuine and unbiased opinion.