If you have overseas visitors taking them to an authentic New Zealand souvenir shop is a given. But…read moreI have to say there are some New Zealand souvenir shops around that really do no justice to the beauty and originality of the Kiwi culture. Nikau is a shop that seems to really understand and connect with that culture. Everything inside is authentic and stunning! There's a huge variety of things from expensive but awesome pounamu (greenstone) necklaces to quirky little aprons, candles, house decor accessories and cheaper trinkets and jewelry. If you're wanting to buy souvenirs for family and friends you are sure to find something that suits every one of them inside here!

I find NIkau superb. Lovely people, gift wrap beautifully, and an amazing array of superb…read moreproducts. Nic.

Goldmark lives right across the road from Michael Hill in Albany Mall. Tough competition if you ask…read moreme. But just as well Goldmark caters for all sorts of needs that aren't limited to those which require huge spendings. I have bought a number of little things from here. A couple of rings and a charm for my Pandora bracelet. The charm is obviously not 'Pandora' but I tell you it's by far my favourite charm. It's a cube and it's blue with an awesome tiled pattern. It looks awesome on my bracelet and I'm pretty sure there's nothing like it in the real Pandora range. Plus it was about half the price you'd pay for an authentic charm! Go Goldmark!

Love this shop - it's the place to go for gift buying for that person in your life that seems to…read morehave everything. They carry a wide range of contemporary kitchen and homewares plus other gifts such as candles, keyrings and money banks. Sometimes difficult to push a pram around the shop, especially with all the fragile merchandise...I can't imagine how a wheelchair would fare in here!

What I love most about Sole Sisters is the name. There's the awesome play on words, the hidden…read moremeanings that can be interpreted in different ways and the alliteration. It's a great name! Besides that there's a lot more to love about the place. It's the only shop quite like it in Mairangi Bay, which makes it special in itself as it's a stand out from the masses of cafes that surround it. It is primarily a shoe shop but personally I don't think of it this way. The shoes are aimed at an age category a tad older than mine so it's not very often that I find a pair of shoes that I'd want to buy. It does happen.. just not that often. I like it because of the accessories. There's some lovely handbags and jewelry. Specifically Karen Walker jewelry is sold here and, even though it can be pricey, it is beautiful and the ultimate gift for a special friend. If you're in Mairangi Bay pop in and take a look for yourself.

Pomegranate is a lovely little gift store, in particular for the home. A few years back I bought a…read morelovely mohair throw from here, one that is actually mohair unlike cheaper ones sold elsewhere, I still have it and have my eye on a bright orange one they currently have in store. There is a great candle selection here too, as well as scents for the home and they do have some nice glassware too. They also stock some New Zealand made products such as ceramics from Jenz Studio which are hand crafted here. If you are after something a little different for your home or a gift for someone else Pomegranate is worth a look in.

With the commercialism of Christmas and every other holiday excuse you can think of, gift shops are…read moreeverywhere. Pomegranate is another of these little gift store, not a fruit vendor. Pomegranate is conveniently placed just after a group of Mt Eden cafés, to catch aimless week-day dawdlers. It's a nice enough little store with things that aren't essential, but could be fun to buy anyway. They have a sizable range of Banks & Co. and sniff boxes I found by knocking over half the display, which the quiet staff member kindly scooped up. A kindly little gift shop suitable for Mother's Day or an aged Canadian aunt.