This is another of my local "dollar" stores and it's a goodie. Sharing the space with the Lotto…read moreshop is mainly gift and household items with this being my choice for $3 and $4 sunglasses. They always have the latest shapes and colours and they are UV certified. I also buy a lot of picnicware here - you can set yourself up with plastic platters, plates and cups really cheaply and apart from the cutlery I re-use everything so it's not too hard on the planet. The greeting cards here are good too - just read your message carefully first, there might be a hilarious but inappropriate typo! Like most of the businesses I frequent around Balmoral, the family that run this place are lovely. I feel sorry for them being right next to Jack's Bar and the TAB (two reviews you will NOT read from me) but they seem to cope ok.

This is a great gift store in Newmarket which sells things mainly for males, hip flasks, hunting…read moregear, wallets, that sort of thing. It is only a small shop, but they have some great items inside, and it all looks like really good quality. Of course you have to pay for the quality, but there's no need to be a cheapskate on your gift giving. They have quite a few chess sets for sale here, really beautifully crafted pieces and boards, especially the full table set. These chess sets are actually at quite a good price too, considering how it's so hard to find a good quality one in New Zealand. For the ladies there are some things, but like I said it is a small shop and unless your mum is keen on hunting and/or drinking whiskey I'd probably go somewhere else for her birthday present.

As gifts shops go, this one has little something special. Quirky is how I'd describe it. Inside…read morethere are a ton of presents for people (as described on the shop window) who have everything. This is pretty accurate I thought. The gifts were the kind of cool things that could brighten up someone's day but certainly weren't essential. My absolutely favourite were the money tins. Each tin specified something that warranted paying a fine (putting a coin in the tin). I very nearly bought the farting one for my brother-in-law. Now that I'm home I wish I had. I might have to go back and get it - they were only $7!

This shop is a regular life saver for me. Be it a Kiwibank transaction, paying a car registration,…read morebuying a last minute birthday card (some are only $1 or $2 - wow!) and a pen to write in it with. The number of times Mitchell's Paper Plus has come to my rescue is countless. I don't know the names of the family that own this business (I'm pretty sure Mitchell moved on years ago) but they've been here at least 10 or 15 years and they are always lovely and polite to deal with. The pile of jigsaws/cookbooks etc out the front which are permanently on sale also make a good last minute Xmas or birthday gift.

Today, the worst experience happened to me in this shop. A salesman was not satisfied with my…read morelittle girl who is just 2 yrs touch the stuff in the shop and come to complain to me. His voice is so loud and his attitude is so impolite, even not say 'excuse me'. Children are naturally curious, I could not completely stop her but I already tried to. My daughter is not a naughty girl, and she just touched gently. Although she is not right, do you need so badly to us? In the past 7 years, I usually went shopping in northcote shopping center once a week. Most of time I went to this shop for paying the bills or a car registration, or buying some books for me and my daughters. But today's bad memory makes me will not go to that shop again.

It's great to have a Pandora store in Manukau Westfield. It's a small store, as you'd expect, but…read morevery on par with other jewellers- it's got a clean, crisp, classy feel and I love coming in here. Everything is bright, white and their displays are always on top form. While I don't own a Pandora bracelet myself, they have an excellent range of charms here. There are some for every budget, whether its sterling silver, platinum or glass that you're looking for. I've found this to be really useful when buying gifts for my friends. There's an incredible fairytale castle charm that's currently available, and it is just beautiful. The detailing is so well done and its a combination of silver and gold- you just can't go wrong and it ended up being a gift to my best friend. Pandora sells some great rings aswell, from simple birthstones to stackers, as well as a great range of watches, pendants and earrings (partners- take note!). I love their displays of rings here and they've always got some awesome designs- there really is something for everyone, no matter your age. A lot of retailers do stock Pandora items but your best bet would be to visit an actual Pandora store. They've got everything you'd need and beats walking around to numerous jewellers. I've had some great experiences here, even when I was just browsing. The staff here are lovely and know a lot about what's popular, what lasts and will help you pick out the perfect gift.

Once upon a time there used to be the most magical little shop just off Oxford Street in London…read morecalled RD Franks. This little unassuming shop sold hundred upon hundreds of magazines from all over the world. It was amazing. Then, one day, poof, it disappeared. The end of an era. I know this is going to sound really lame, but I nearly cried when I walked into Mag Nation for the first time; all that I loved about RD Franks is back in Auckland. They're here, they're all here: Love, Lula, Oyster, British Elle, Black...all of my favourite magazines from all over the world are right here under one roof. All the magazines are neatly divided into sections, which makes it really easy to browse and there's more than enough space for each title to be perused. Some of the more obscure titles are pretty expensive, with some fetching upto $100 or so, but the more mainstream titles are actually pretty good value. My beloved British Elle is only around $10, only a couple of dollars more than it would cost in the UK. Literally cannot rate this place highly enough. Shop here Auckland or woe betide you when it's gone and you can't get these amazing titles anywhere else!

Best place in town to buy magazines - international and national publications. Mag Nation…read moreairfreight Vogue, Russh, Frankie, POP, 10, Oyster, Nylon etc. They also stock fantastic wooden cards, stationery and other gimmicks. I literally can spend hours in this shop, the only thing missing is a coffee booth!:)

Although my wife and I didn't buy anything we were impressed with the staff at Walker and Hall…read moreQueen St.. The Manager ( I told him I would remember his name but I forgot - I want to say Naseem) was very informative when we asked him about diamonds. On the Cruise we were on they were having a contest to guess the carat's of a Yellow diamond, with Naseem's help my wife guessed 4.12 carats and it was 4.3 carats. Unfortunately some one else was closer. Thanks again to the Walker and Hall staff. Pat & Candida from the USA

The manager Naveen and his assistant Juliet gave me exceptional service. They assisted in helping…read moreme with what I wanted for my birthday. The selection and value was comfortable. It was an hassle free experience and joyful.

I love shopping for whanau and friends have done since they were in Kingsland I will we in next…read moreThursday our neice engagement in 3weeks in Brisbane so our perfect gift will be of the two pieces of double half greenstone hearts, also our sister also living in Brisbane since she was 22yrs will be. celebrating her 65th birthday not sure on a gift but I am sure I will find somethink special for her also. I would recommended any person looking for somethink special you will not be disappointed.

Wonderful selection of greenstones, including special pieces by local artists! Can't wait to wear…read moremy new piece!

What a wonderful store, such a great range of product. If you needed to buy a gift for a female…read morethen this would be a good bet. I often come through Newmarket and admire their window displays which are lots of fun, but inside, there is so much to take in. You cannot go by what you see on their website, you have to go into the store. There is stuff in here you would not need until you saw it, such as an owl ornament and bright coloured candelabras. When Mothers Day is upon you, come here. You could pretty much by anything in here, the store buyers have made the gift selection edit, all you need to do is pay for it. To make things easy, they do have gift wrap and cards too so it is a one stop, Mother pleasing gift shop. Either that or good for female friends.

When it's my mum's birthday, this is the first place I'm going to come to look for a gift to send…read moreback to the UK for her. The store specialises in inoffensive jewellery, nice smelling soaps and body lotions--Mum Mecca. They've got a great selection of Kiwiana- so perfect for gifts to send abroad- and they have a really good selection of jewellery from popular NZ brands such as Kagi and Karen Walker, so it's nice to know that what you're buying is locally sourced. It's not a place you're going to find the most fashion-forward or out of the ordinary gifts, but what they do sell is of great quality and reasonably priced. The store is clearly aware that it is a "gift" shop and that they are selling things for people to buy for other people. The staff are attentive and clearly know what they're talking about, which I imagine must be a godsend to men looking to buy gifts for the women in their life!