I find the the Bunnings Warehouse staff really helpful when you go in with a DIY problem. From…read morepainting to gardening they have guys (mostly) who are willing to give you the time to sort out a solution. I really like their garden section - not just for plants but also a really good range of pots, mixes and things like stones etc.

I love Bunnings. Do you remember, as a kid, that fresh paper smell whenever you got a new…read morestationary order at school? I get that feeling whenever i step into Bunnings. First of all unless you're a die hard expert, you do a cursory exploration of no more than five minutes before asking someone. Yes it's a practically a man cave and asking for directions is against a creed, but in this case it will get you to the goodies faster. The staff are so helpful, you can interrupt anyone and they just smile at you and don't show the levels of frustration associated with constant interruptions. I had to return something recently and it took around 20 seconds to arrange. Bunnings in Glenfield has great parking and is really well located, the place is clean and they almost always have a mass of checkout staff to ensure you can use more of your day. If you're looking for DIY this is the place

I'm a fan of Trade Aid, and the High Street shop is a tiny peace of ethical heaven in the middle of…read morethe CBD. They seem to have crammed everything they fit into the larger shops in this tiny one - namely jewellery and hair accessories, cards and giftwrap, musical instruments, soap, ornaments, toys, gifts, cushions, rugs, bags...the list seems endless. Some of my favourite things to buy from Trade Aid are the chocolate bars, which have a delicious and distinct flavour, and the coffee and spices. Much-appreciated gifts I've given from Trade Aid have included platters and placemats.

Growing up in a home decorated with sculptures, rugs and artsy items I love trade aid. One day…read moreafter uni I was walking to Britomart with my bed on my mind then I saw these basket items in a shop window. I decided to go into the shop because I suddenly remembered that I needed something. Whatever it was I was certain this store with awesome baskets in the window would have it. I walked into the store and it felt like I was back home in the markets as I was surronded by so many cushion covers, beads and essence. I was in heaven and all my thoughts about my bed faded. After I browsed around the shop I learnt that the shop was all about fair trade! It only felt right to walk out with a few coin pouches and chocolate, you never know when it might come in handy. This place is perfect when you are struggling to find a present for that one friend who is hard to shop for.

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".

Perfectly located between Northcote Point and Birkenhead is this fantastic liquor store. I am all…read moreabout the convenience of popping in to grab a bottle of wine or some ciders to share with my guests at a dinner party, rather than having to spend precious time travelling to the supermarket. This store has a huge selection of wine, which is fabulous- as you can never have enough wine to choose from really. Large fridges stocked with wine, beer, cider, and ready made beverages also. If you are looking for something a bit more refined to mellow your thoughts with the top shelf is well stocked with everything you can imagine. You don't need to pop to the dairy for juice, water or snacks either they supply chips, peanuts, and the like as well.

In my opinion, the single greatest bookshop in Auckland and I'm loath to tell anyone about it…read more Brazzers jokes will not be tolerated. I'm secretly happy this place isn't open often and it used to be the highlight of my morning run, where I could disappear for an hour in unkempt literature luxury. Leather bound books with gilded edges and embossed titles everywhere. That musty, bookish smell. This shop is the epitome of the TV series Black Books. If you have seen the show you, will know the chaotic, wonderful displays and service to expect. If you haven't seen it, you don't deserve to know and will never fully appreciate this place. (This store is opened sporadically on the whims of the owner.)

Have you ever seen the British sitcom Black Books starring Bill Bailey and Dylan Moran? Because it…read morewill give you a far better idea of what this place is like than anything I could write. For those of you who haven't seen it, imagine the stock of several normal-sized seconhand bookshops all crammed in to one room. Organise the books less around subject or the alphabet and more around the concept of the pile, and then use those piles to prop up other piles. It's incredible. There are treasures here, if you can find them. The biggest downside about Brazier's, and for me this is a fatal flaw, is that the owner and his friends smoke inside the shop. Firstly, books are very flammable. Secondly, they absorb smells and retain them forever, so a smoked-over book is a smoked-over book forever. Thirdly, it's a very small and poorly-ventilated shop and it reeks of cigarettes and I can feel lumps growing through my lungs just going past the door. I like books but I'm not willing to die a slow, timorous death to find them. Sorry.

I've been here so many times I've lost... oh wait, let me see how many time I've check-in. What??…read moreIt says I've only checked in twice. Guess I was too busy getting my print on! From the makers who brought you The Warehouse, comes a spin-off of a similar name - Warehouse Stationery. ¡Aplauso aplauso! And that's right, you guessed it, they specialize in stationery office supplies - everything from swanky leather office chairs to large format printing to tiny pink paper clips.. if you need it for the office, home or school they'll most likely have it. And just like it's momma-bear The Warehouse, Warehouse Stationery is very generous with their prices. Muy affordable! I have no idea why I'm resorting to writing Spanglish but it's happening so I better stop writing. You need office things to get done? Come to Warehouse Stationery especially this location and hang out with the super friendly staff!

I often don't think that Art and West Auckland really go together in the same sentence. I often…read morefind driving around West Auckland to be an ugly experience and it does not inspire the artist within me. But that's the funny thing about Te Atatu Peninsula, it's got the Westie vibe but it's also got the arty, latte thing going on too. This is the only gallery and it serves the local community here. I had a look in here once or twice and the stuff displayed didn't really float my boat. It was very Kiwi oriented and as a European I often don't relate to this stuff. Having said that there were some nice items which would be good for a gift if you wanted to support local artists. If you were spending an afternoon in the peninsula and were a bit arty, I guess it would be worth checking out.

I don't know how this place is still open, to be honest. It's right in the corner of the last shops…read morein the Te Atatu Peninsula village and there's a huge tree in front of it, so it's always in the shade, so unless you know it's there or you happen to be walking past it, you probably will never even notice it. It's a small gallery and it has nice enough stuff in there, it's just not my cup of tea. And plus I don't like the people who work there. They are not friendly and have never made me feel comfortable enough to loiter in the store looking at things, and I only ever spend a couple of minutes in there.

Xpress Stationery is a proper stationery shop; it's not your usual chain store full of one type of…read morepencil or pen. They have things here you won't find in those places (good pastels; patterned papers), as well as a decent range of magazines. They're also helpful if you don't know quite what you'd like, and are happy to spend time with making sure you're getting what you need. Unlike those other chain stores, this place also has a small gallery space; whilst I've never seen any art here I really like, I applaud them for using their space for supporting artists.

Xpress Stationery has items that you can't get in the "mall" shops. The owner is knowledgeable and…read moreif they don't happen to stock what you need, they happily get it in for you. The personalised service is great and the art/craft supplies make gift buying very easy - gets those creative juices flowing.