Placemakers is basically a delux hardware store. They've got everything you could possibly need to…read moremake your DIY dream come true... Personally, i'm more of a Bunnings girl. The staff are waaaay nicer and definitely efficient. Don't expect any sort of hello when you enter Placemakers. Need assistance? The 10 staff on the floor are suddenly no where to be found. We came in recently to buy outdoor rubbish bins. We found them (sans lids, which were missing) and headed to the check-out counter, which was manned by one lone ranger. After watching them struggle to process the transaction of the lady in front of us we gave up and drove down the road to Bunnings! Pick up your game Placemakers!

Having a hardware store in your neighborhood, albeit a small one, is unbelievably handy. Especially…read moreone like this, which has all manner of knick knacks. I usually head straight to the counter to ask for what I'm after as I'm hopeless at finding things in shops like this.

Hammer Hardware is a very rare type of chain store. By that I mean that it feels like anything but…read morea chain store. It is one of those places that you can guarantee you'll be greeted by amazing staff all over the country. Hammer Hardware's slogan is 'It's your local' and I couldn't agree more. Other than being a staple in even the smallest of towns in NZ, all the guys who work there feel like one of your neighbours who's door you can knock on whenever you need a hand. I love my local HH. Generally I walk in and just stand there looking around until someone comes to my rescue. The place is jam-packed with stuff, with everything, so it can be tricky to find stuff - especially when you describe something as 'that doodacky thing that screws those little bumpy things'. Somehow these guys always know what i'm talking about. Love Hammer Hardware - head in an support these little guys. They need protecting from those massive warehouse places!