For the size, this place is decent. Who doesn't want a great price on Bendon lingerie? I think the…read moreBendon Outlet store is their greatest drawcard along with Overland where I spied shoes which are still current. Trelise Cooper has an outlet store here, I'm not a Trelise type of person but it often seems busy. The NZSale shop sells men's women's and kids fashion. There is a Backdoor Surf shop with good deals and Converse sells shoes and clothes, I picked up some well made socks for the gym. The Make Up Clearance shop looks very budget. I don't wear much make up but would have gone in to snap up a bargain if I did. There is a Cotton On Kids and Pumpkin Patch which I'm told is a fanfic place to score bargains for your little ones. Anyone who dislikes shopping will be happy that the stores are concentrated into a small mall which doesn't take much time at all to cover. Food wise this part of The Base is pretty thin, just a BBs Cafe and Smart Sushi. I grabbed an avo hand roll which was average.

This store moved from Hood Street around the corner to Alexandra Street within the last year or so…read more I'd never been into it (at either location) until last week. This was a really fun store to walk around in. I feel like it's a cross between a costume shop, fabric shop, dollar store and hardware store. It seems like there's a little bit of everything and then some. There was a ton of party items (decor, plates, etc.) and lots of craft and fabric stuff. But there was also tools, garden stuff, paints, and other home-related items. There is a wall full of dress-up wigs. We'd gone in to find a bucket and paintbrush and we were successful in that. However, we stayed a while, just walking up and down the aisles to see what else was there. I felt like you could probably walk out of there with a bunch of stuff you didn't know that you needed (or wanted) but had fun shopping for :) I think the overall quality of some of the stuff is probably fairly low, but it seemed like most things were pretty inexpensive (as opposed to poor quality and pricey on top of it). If you have kids and need costumes for dress-up or party things, this would be a great place to check-out.

When you create a restaurant, I always tend to look at the wow factor. This little cafe is in a…read moremiddle of products and plants and the whole scene is beautiful don't get me wrong ! But when we got the food, all I can say is.... Flavor is lacking. I had a chicken burger, the others had the following: - Spanish omelet - corn fritters - risotto - pie of the day - salmon and eggs Benedict Let's start with the chicken burger, in all honesty I felt like I could make it myself at home, it's not something to go for it's really just been marinating in herbs, Olive oil and garlic. What this chickens missing is a nice chutney or even mayo it needs that creaminess or punch to give it flavors and life. I can say the same thing to the Spanish omelet and the risotto. The risotto was nice and creamy but it was missing punch too Now... When you put on a menu corn fritters in front of Asians (not being racists). We usually think crunchy corn fritters not pancake style and I think that's where the menu was missing. Pie of the day was apparently good, the pie of the day was steak Service was a bit slow and busy. we had to look at someone for 5 mins before we were asked if we needed a seat/ how many people I don't do this to bash the cafe or restaurants.. As you know I like honesty :) and if you're going to pay for food... You might as well pay for one that's worth it After a few months being MIA due to my work, Watch out guys .....IM BACK !!!!!!!!!!!

As you walk into the new Palmers Planet store in Albany, you realize you've walked into a magic…read moreshop. This outdoor living store caters to all your indoor and outdoor living needs. Plus it is a good place to enjoy a cup of coffee. The entrance area is a kaleidoscope of colours, with floral arrangements, cushions and couches presenting themselves as a feast for the eyes. Obviously the services of a store designer were used, as this place is laid out to please. From now on this will be my one stop shop for all gift-buying purposes. There are kitchen goodies, food, magazines, flowers and tools. Male, female, young and old... This is the place.

This is my favorite gift shop in New Zealand. The owners curate a collection of uniquely New…read moreZealand items. Gorgeous selection of greenstone, merino, sheepskins, cool tshirts, and gifts to fit any budget. Great prices as well. Don't miss this local gem!

I will admit, that I have thus far, only come to Imageland in order to get passport type photos…read moredone. What I love is that they are quick, helpful and offer sizes that suit New Zealand immigration paperwork requirements and United States sizes as well. Since we've had to do a lot of this since moving to NZ, it's been a great place to know about. They even got creative and helped us get photos of our infant son for his NZ passport shortly after he was born. The service has always been excellent and the prices are definitely reasonable. Will come back here every time.

Found this place quite by accident, and to our pleasant surprise it was open quite late. We took…read moreages wandering around and seeing what lovely old titles were to hand. Several patrons were sitting in seats reading before purchasing. I loved the smell of old paper, also the old products dotted around the floor and tops of the book shelves added to the magic of the place. On seeing the mini display of Thunderbirds characters and their craft by the till brought back so many memories. We had a second visit the following night to see what we had missed first time around.

Promises quality books, but in reality it's just overpriced paperbacks and tired old reference…read morebooks. I had to laugh at the ridiculous 8m high bookshelf, good luck if you're interested in browsing any of those up there. The woman who runs it is pretty sour faced and uninterested too. Don't go out of your way.

Fun, easy, local and fantastic service. Couldn't ask for more. Brought some socks for my husband…read morebirthday so now he can have matching shark socks with our 3 year old.

This is usually where we go for inexpensive children's clothing. With a 3-year-old that goes to a…read more"messy play" day care and who regularly comes home painted or otherwise dirtied, cheap clothes are our friend at the moment. That said, the quality isn't awesome, but for day care, run-around, play clothes, it's great.