Flying Saucers is such a cool little gift store. In the midst of all the crap you can buy in a mall…read moreit's a place with really high quality novelty gifts and some nice jewelry too. But it does come with a price. It's quite an expensive store and even things that are kind of disposable (like novelty bachelorette/bachelor night stuff etc) are sold at a premium price. But it's actually one of the very few places where you can find different, fun stuff. I really like their greeting cards too, there are quite a few funny novelty ones and they're always a bit of a laugh to look through. If you're trying to find a fun gift for someone who's hard to shop for or one of those people who kind of have everything they need, this is the shop to go to.

Now this place is a real find. It sometimes feels like these kinds of gift shops are everywhere and…read moredoing the same old boring thing with the same old expensive brands. Passionata though is part vintage treasure trove, part reproduction costume jewellery mecca and also stocks the MOR range which I adore (Marshmallow love) and other random homeware, gift and fashion items. Everything fits in with the romantic vintagey theme and there's a lot of really beautiful delicate dresses (bridal included), and Lady Gaga even shopped here and bought one! There's a massive range of vintage evening bags with everything from sequins, maribou, fake fur and a dedicated Oroton section. The jewellery alone is worth coming here for and this is my new favourite place to send my man when a gift-giving opportunity is on the horizon. Apart from the clothing, the pricing is better than most comparable shops and I'm very glad they chose somewhere so close to my home for their new location.

I love Collected. It is possibly one of my favourite shops in terms of homewares, gifts and knick…read moreknacks. Plus everything is super bright that you'll just want to buy the whole shop! They stock Lindi King bracelets (which are all bright colours and come with different charms), wall art, gift cards, candles, home aromatherapy perfumes (the skull ones are amazing), children's gifts and toys, cushions, lampshades, and so much more! I love coming here when I need to buy presents for friends and family, plus staff are always super friendly and helpful and they offer colourful gift wrapping too!

I only just discovered this shop today and it was by accident! They are in the Bloc Building on…read moreNormanby Road (just across the road from the Normanby hotel). On the ground level is the Citta Design shop and then if you go upstairs you'll find the Collected. What a find it is! I wanted so much in the shop. And the really good part is there was some really nice stuff for around $20 or less such as dinner plates, various knick knacks, candles and other stuff made of awesome. There was so much I wanted to purchase. So once I have a bit more cash in the bank, I will definitely be back (come on pay day)!

This is one of my favorite stores to visit for interior inspiration. Tesori has elegant products…read moredirectly imported from Europe hand selected by the owners and the store layout and window displays are like something out of an interiors magazine. Tesori has beautiful accent pieces from chandeliers to vases as well as mirrors and art work. There is a large range of kitchen staples such as glass storage jars and an outdoor area which has vintage looking lanterns and other interesting pieces. There is always something new in store so best to check in often as there are small quantities or often one off pieces that may be gone if you don't snap them up straight away.

My wife and I have enjoyed many lovely hours wondering through this store and we have brought some…read morebeautiful French antiques and other very unique pieces which has added that extra special something to our home. The store owners are friendly, helpful and offer excellent advice. This is our favourite store!

Mixt Art and Design is one of my favourite places to find great Kiwi inspired gifts and unusual but…read morebrilliant wee retro knick-knacks and decorations. Fantastic embroidery, sculptures, platters, vases, pillows, books and wall decals are just a few of the funky finds that Mixt offers. I recently became obsessed with the wall decals they stock - brightly coloured and incorporating my favourite things - animals and flowers, the decals are also reusable so you can move them around your room without worrying about ripping the paint. What's not to love? Another great thing about Mixt is the price. Though most of the products Mixt stocks are made locally, everything is still really reasonably priced and you can feel good about supporting Kiwi creators too! Having recently relocated to the building right next door, the new Mixt store is spotless and funky and compliments the stock as well as the women that work there. Next time you're looking for that perfect gift, or want to liven up your room, make sure you check out Mixt!

This was a beautiful shop! Such a lovely place to buy some New Zealand made items to remember my…read moretrip by. I will recommend this trip to everyone I know!

Located in an old black villa in the middle of the Kingsland shops, is one of my favourite shops in…read moreAuckland. Full of fantastic, eclectic gifts, furniture, jewellery and cards, The Cat and the Fiddle is the perfect place to find a gift for that special person, or just treat yourself! I've been shopping at this store for years and am still in awe every time I step through the door. The owner is a friendly woman who is happy to tell you about each of the pieces. The whole Cat and the Fiddle experience is a delight. From the creative arrangement of scarves, jewellery, furniture, candles and fairy lights, to the soothing foreign music that wafts around the store as you shop, you'll never have a bad or boring experience in this store. Tip: Get your gift beautifully wrapped at the store for free.

The Cat and The Fiddle is a Kingsland gift store making the most of the converted villa businesses…read morein Auckland that are supposed to create a warm, welcoming environment. They use almost every available space to display their wares in this dazzling display of trinkets. The amount of candles and jewellery and religious iconography is intense and I was hoping for a little respite in a courtyard or garden after the assault on my senses. The store feels like a library of monotonous authors: after browsing everything you're disappointed nothing actually tickled your fancy. You also have the typical Kingsland retail shop greeting where the staff don't want to be the first to break the silence. My partner described it as "Just another old lady shop".

I had a disappointing experience with this store…read more I received my order and immediately noticed that the clothes had a very strong fragrance smell. Given that I ordered premium organic children's clothing, this was quite concerning and contrary to what many parents expect - minimal processing and no added scents. They also sell diffusers and candles, which may explain the scent contamination. I emailed the same day I received the package to request a return and refund. It then took a full week to receive a response, which simply instructed me to return the items to a warehouse address, with no clear process. I replied the same day asking reasonable questions -such as the warehouse opening hours, whether I could drop the items off in person. It has now been another week with no response. This was also confusing because their company policy states that online orders can be returned to any of their retail stores. This would have been far more convenient, as they have multiple locations with set opening hours and staff available, so you know you can actually speak to someone and have the return handled properly. Overall, the lack of communication, slow response times, and inconsistency with their stated return policy have been very frustrating. For a brand positioning itself as premium, I expected much better customer service and handling of returns. I would also caution other parents who prefer unscented, minimally treated baby clothing to keep this in mind when ordering.

Father Rabbit is the absolute best. It seriously turns me into a gushing 16 year old. They've got…read morebeautiful, beautiful homewares, candles, children's clothing and there's a small amount of adult clothing too. This store is larger than their Ponsonby one and is located inside Bloc, which is dangerous in itself. But back to F.R, the brands they stock are all seriously stunning - lots of whites, neutrals and soft pastels.... it's my dream to make my house look like this one day... Not surprisingly, Father Rabbit has become my go-to for gifts. It isn't outrageously expensive and they've got a wide range of products, something for everyone. Check it out next time you're in Mt Eden....the ultimate one stop shop.

I literally want to buy EVERYTHING in this store! BLOC is a collaboration of a number of cool…read moredesigners - kind of like a mini department store. There's beautiful, beautiful homewares, WORLD Beauty, fashion labels and even a cafe. I would even go as far as to say that BLOC has made me excited about christmas present shopping. Granted it's not the cheapest but some labels are more affordable than others (Citta, Father Rabbit) and thankfully, we have a small family!

BLOC is a super stylish department store w Citta design and Father Rabbit downstairs and Peppin…read more(children's clothing), 8 paws (dog clothing) and collected upstairs. There's also a delicious cafe in case you work up an appetite. I was lucky enough to go to one of the Bloc's special shopping nights with wine and cheese as well as discounts and goodie bags. As a marketing exercise, it worked. I explored the Blocs offerings fully and I now know where to go to get that gift for someone that is hard to buy for. The wide variety of things for the home, for the inner self and for the fur baby ensures that The Bloc will solve the gift problem.

Thanks to our New Zealand friends (Geoffrey and Margaret), whom we met the year before during our…read morecruise through Southeast Asia, for planning a day of fun, exercise, and good eats in Auckland. We started with a hike up Mount Eden (Maungawhau), a dormant volcano and the highest natural point in Auckland, offering panoramic views of the city from its summit. As we hiked uphill along pathways and boardwalks to the summit, our friends explained that Mount Eden is a culturally significant Māori site, pointing out its historical Māori pā (fortified village) terraces and its sacred 160-ft-deep crater. It took us about 18 minutes to hike up from the parking lot to the summit while following the pathway to the boardwalks. The uphill hike was relatively easy with an elevation gain of nearly 240 feet, and I was sure glad that my osteoarthritic knee wasn't "acting up." We prepared for this hike by taking physically challenging shore excursions and actively exercising pre- and during our cruise. After all, we didn't want to reach the summit wheezing and out of breath, because we truly wanted to enjoy the panoramic views and take in the cultural and historical background from our younger friends. It was very windy atop and along the summit boardwalks, and I had to either hold on or lean into the handrails, otherwise be blown about like tumbleweed. At the summit, we were treated to a 360° panoramic view of Auckland city, its nearby neighborhoods, the iconic Sky Tower, Auckland Harbor Bridge, Rangitoto Island, and a glimpse of the South towards the Auckland Airport. Instead of returning to our vehicle the same way we had climbed up, our friends guided us downhill on a less steep, paved private roadway. Our round-trip hike took about an hour, and it was a beautiful day to spend with friends, enjoying iconic sights and learning about Māori history and culture.

At 196 meters high, Mount Eden, a dormant volcano, is the highest natural point in Auckland. It…read morewas named in honour of George Eden, the 1st Earl of Auckland (a white guy), by Governor William Hobson (another white guy). In the Māori language, Mount Eden is called Maungawhau, which means "mountain of the whau tree". At the top of Mount Eden/Maungawhau is a large, grassy crater 50 meters deep which is sacred to the Māori and must not be entered. Mount Eden/Maungawhau is a popular for hiking, and while it is not a long or difficult hike, there are steep sections. Around the crater are boardwalks that were installed in 2020 for people to take a stroll. Fortunately when we went hiking on Mount Eden/Maungawhau, the weather was nice, although it was quite windy at the top. I took a lot of photos to try and capture the beauty of the area, but it's something you just have to experience in person. If you like hiking and nature, don't miss Mount Eden/Maungawhau. [Yelp collections: NZ/Fiji 2023; New Zealand 2023; Hiking]