I would just like to preface by stating that I ordered online via the Best Blooms website from…read moreacross the globe for someone very dear to me for Valentine's Day, and it was the best experience i've ever had with a florist, truly. The customer service was communicative, responsive, timely and more than anything genuine. The florists were extremely receptive to my requests, and the arrangement that was delivered was IMMACULATE! The blooms of the orchids were of utmost quality, and I could not have dreamed for a better bouquet to be in the hands of someone so dear to me. Thank you so much Best Blooms for your unparalleled service, quality and efficiency. I will certainly be using your services again, and will recommend you very highly to others! All the best from Miami Beach, Florida!

This florist is amazing! I ordered flowers off their website from Florida, and they were…read moredelivered, fresh and beautiful, literally 2 hours later. I highly recommend!

On busy Parnell Rise, but if you've managed to secure a carpark then you're good to go. Hard to…read moretell from the outside, but this place stocks a range of giftware and a small florist area - pick your own flowers for a handmade bouquet or just buy a few bunches for home.

Davina and the team at Vida Flores is fantastic for Special Event flowers - adding that special…read moresomething without costing an arm and a leg. I used Vida Flores to do some statement "pieces" for a recent party and got a lot of comments and requests for "who had done the flowers". A very large amethyst vase/hurricane lamp from Ambiance was filled with Stocks in shades of purple and mauve, a bowl of pale mauve roses and another of Icelandic poppies were among the standout pieces. I have seen some other functions that Davina has done the flowers for and am always amazed at the creativity and the result. I would definitely recommend using Vida Flores for an event or when you want to "say it with flowers"!!

Vida Flores recently did the flowers for my mum's birthday soiree we had at home. The lovely owner,…read moreDavina personally came over the day before the event and whipped up the bouquets onsite - which, considering we live on a the shore, would have been a bit of a trek. I couldn't believe: a) how quickly she whipped up each arrangement b) how easy she made it look c) how stunning the final result was (see pictures) This will definitely be my first port of call next time i'm in the market for flowers! Oh, and apparently they also have a 'flower school' where you can learn how to make gorgeous DIY arrangements at home. Count me in!

I've been to Britomart Florist a couple of times and would go back again…read more The first time I just wanted to pick up a little 'thank you' bouquet on the way to work, and since I take the train into Britomart everyday, it was convenience more than anything that lead me there. I was really pleased with what I got though; for around $20 I got a little self-watering bouquet, with heaps of fresh flowers, nestled into a pretty white box. It came in a really smart bag with sturdy cord carry handles, and inside that was beautifully parceled up in cellophane and ribbon, and looked amazing. For my second visit I ordered a substantial bouquet of sympathy flowers. The florist took my order really quickly and knew exactly what I had in mind without me having to really think about it. I pre-paid and the bouquet I picked up teh next day was incredible.

On the look out for a flower arrangement that suited the person I was buying for, I spied one that…read morehad all the right array of colours and brilliance. Only problem was it looked terribly sad - some of the flowers were dying. I took it to the owner and asked if she could make it up again with new flowers. She happily obliged, and speedily went to work piecing it together. She asked me what coloured paper and ribbons I would like, and made sure I was happy with the flowers. It cost me $1 extra, but I didn't mind. Her attitude impressed me. They have a nice variety here and cute additions, like teddy bears and balloons. I really like the location being in Britomart, because whether you're coming and going in the city, it takes very little out of your day to drop in and buy a bouquet for your loved one.

This store is great because it doesn't cater to the 'kitschy' side of New Zealand art and design as…read moremuch as some souvenir type stores like it do. It's more of an Art Gallery rather than a store. And affordable too. I love artist Tony Cribbs 'Adventures of Tin man' series and always like to pick something up whenever I see one in a store or gallery. They are just too cute. And funny as well. I always get compliments on them whenever I have people over to mine. They just exemplify the New Zealand sense of humor so well. I like the fact that Mana also has prints of a lot of their artworks so if you can't afford the actual original artwork itself there are still opportunities for you to own a slice of something. I'm currently crushing on one of their artworks, one of a Maori girl/princess wrapped in a traditional woven cloak. I may have to settle on the print of this one myself!

If you're looking for some absolutely beautiful local art, jewellery or gifts for someone visiting…read moreNew Zealand to take home with them or even to send to someone abroad, this place should be your one stop shop. They've got a fairly small but carefully curated collection of glassware, paintings and sculptures alongside jewellery and cards and other nick-nacks. My favourite things in here are the necklaces. Long thin silver chains with bird and flower pendants, which were gorgeous and really unusual. Things like this range from around $40 up to $400, so you're sure to find something no matter what your budget. I've been looking for a Green Stone necklace for my partner for quite some time and have never been able to find one that I really love, but the ones in Mana are the nicest I've seen in Auckland. Plus they were playing Ben Howard on the stereo when I walked in, which just made me like it even more.

Gifts Galore is crammed with fun and one of those shops where you don't know where to look first…read more There's everything in here from soft toys of all sizes (even those excellent giant Hello Kittys that I'm really not allowed to buy because it's silly), to stationery, hair accessories, socks, mugs, posters, and make up. And everything has that awesome Korean twist to it, so if you need stickers of your favourite K-pop artists, here's where you head. The staff don't speak heaps of English but they are really sweet and approachable, and I'm sure their Korean is top-notch! When I had trouble figuring out if the alarm clock I bought there would play music or not (I really can't stand that end-of-the-world beep beep beep of doom), they unpacked the clock, put batteries in, and demonstrated it for me. Now that's good service.

I have been coming here for over a decade, just because you get older doesn't mean you have to grow…read moreup. Gifts Galore has just that, a lot of gifts, packed from wall to wall with cuteness. There are two sides to the store, one mostly stuffed toys and the other is stationary. Everything from pens and notebooks to mini staplers and writing paper, you will find it with Winnie the Pooh, Hello Kitty of Miffy the Rabbit all over it. The fun doesn't stop there, umbrellas, earphones, bento sets and flasks, absolutely everything. Gifts Galore also boast an impressive range of scented pens. If you haven't written with ink that smells of oranges, you're missing out. Such a fun shop, great for the young and young at heart.

Recommended by Harry the concierge, and we found Lisa who was so helpful & knowledgeable. I'm…read moresorry we didn't start shopping for gifts here, this is the place! We found perfect gifts and all kinds of tchotchkes that say New Zealand to bring home. They were very reasonable things for under $10 and exotic large things for much more, lots of price points and beautifully made unique items.

Wonderful collection of decorative items for the home, jewelry from local artists, woolens and more…read morein a light bright uncrowned space. Delightful shopkeeper. A go-to spot for gifts.

Teal Souvenirs and Gifts on Parnell rise has a nice selection of New Zealand themed gifts, which…read moreseem a bit more commercially produced than the gifts from a similar shop up the road, but in saying that, they are definitely more affordable and still quite tasteful. Tea towels, key chains, post cards, jewelry; all are what you'll find here at Teal Souvenirs and Gifts and all with cherished iconic Kiwi symbols on them. If you are a traveller but on more of a budget and want to still pick up some nice presents, then pop into Teal and the friendly shop assistant will definitely help you out before you head home.

I hate the colour teal. It's a tacky and cheap colour, overused in advertising during the 90's, not…read moreunlike the .teal store in Parnell. Except for the cheap part. Because we're talking about Parnell here. There is ceramic paraphernalia representing New Zealand, floral kiwis and love hearts you can purchase as gifts, because you wouldn't put that junk up in your own house. The jewellery is garish in an old-lady kind of way and, judging by the abrupt service, is probably their target market. In general, teal is a good accent colour. The store .teal does nothing to break up the mundane and generic souvenir shops of New Zealand. Tourists and backpackers: This is not a shop for "witty kiwiana" or souvenirs unless you are buying for your elderly parents and have money to fritter away.