Shopping · Auckland · New Zealand
Shopping in Auckland
Shopping streets, markets and souvenirs worth the suitcase space.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Jorge Royan, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
Auckland shopping ranges from international brands on Queen Street to New Zealand designers in Ponsonby and Newmarket, with weekend markets for food and crafts. Best souvenirs: Pounamu (greenstone), Merino and possum-merino knitwear and Mānuka honey.
Key facts
- Shopping areas
- 4
- Markets
- 3
- Top souvenir
- Pounamu (greenstone)
Where to shop
Britomart
New Zealand fashion labels, homeware and design stores in a pedestrian-friendly precinct.
Ponsonby Road
Boutiques, homeware stores and local designers alongside cafés.
Newmarket
Westfield Newmarket, department stores and boutiques along Broadway and Nuffield Street.
Queen Street
The main commercial street with international chains and souvenir shops.
Markets
La Cigale French Market
Weekend food market in Parnell with pastries, cheese and crêpes.
Ōtara Market
Saturday morning Pacific and Māori food, crafts and music in South Auckland.
Takapuna Beach Sunday Market
Weekly market near the beach with produce, food stalls and second-hand goods.
What to buy
Pounamu (greenstone)
Carved New Zealand jade pendants; buy from reputable carvers and check it is genuine New Zealand pounamu.
Merino and possum-merino knitwear
Warm, light knitwear made in New Zealand.
Mānuka honey
Look for the UMF or MGO rating on the label; check your home country's import rules.
New Zealand wine
Waiheke reds or Marlborough sauvignon blanc from a cellar door or wine shop.
Pacific art and crafts
Tapa cloth, woven goods and prints from Pacific artists at markets and galleries.
Food and drink to take home
Edible souvenirs travel best when they are dry or sealed: consider Flat white, Meat pie, Hokey pokey ice cream and Pavlova. Independent cafés across Ponsonby, Britomart, Kingsland and Mount Eden. Check your home country's rules on bringing food and drink back.
Shopping by neighbourhood
| Area | Price level | Character |
|---|---|---|
| City Centre and Viaduct Harbour | $$$ | Sky Tower, Britomart dining lanes and waterfront bars on the Viaduct and Wynyard Quarter |
| Ponsonby | $$$ | Restored villas, cafés and boutiques along Ponsonby Road |
| Karangahape Road | $$ | Alternative bars, vintage shops and late-night venues on K Road |
| Newmarket | $$ | Shopping district of Broadway malls and chain stores with a major train station |
Paying and bargaining
Prices are in NZD. Tipping is not expected in New Zealand; wages include service. Leaving about 10% for exceptional service in a restaurant is appreciated but entirely optional.
- Use an AT HOP card rather than cash fares on buses, trains and ferries.
When to shop
Shops and markets are quietest in May–September; the busiest months are January.
- February: Auckland Lantern Festival (around Lunar New Year, usually February or March)
- March: Auckland Arts Festival (usually March)
- March: Pasifika Festival — Pacific culture and food (usually March, in most years)
- May: Auckland Writers Festival (usually May)
- July: New Zealand International Film Festival (usually July–August)
- October: Auckland Diwali Festival (usually October or November)
Staying near the shops
$$$ · Best for food lovers, couples and shopping
Ponsonby
Restored villas, cafés and boutiques along Ponsonby Road
Questions travellers ask
+What should I buy in Auckland?
Pounamu (greenstone), Merino and possum-merino knitwear, Mānuka honey and New Zealand wine.
+Where is the best shopping in Auckland?
Britomart: New Zealand fashion labels, homeware and design stores in a pedestrian-friendly precinct.
+What are the best markets in Auckland?
La Cigale French Market, Ōtara Market and Takapuna Beach Sunday Market.