If you have overseas visitors taking them to an authentic New Zealand souvenir shop is a given. But…read moreI have to say there are some New Zealand souvenir shops around that really do no justice to the beauty and originality of the Kiwi culture. Nikau is a shop that seems to really understand and connect with that culture. Everything inside is authentic and stunning! There's a huge variety of things from expensive but awesome pounamu (greenstone) necklaces to quirky little aprons, candles, house decor accessories and cheaper trinkets and jewelry. If you're wanting to buy souvenirs for family and friends you are sure to find something that suits every one of them inside here!

I find NIkau superb. Lovely people, gift wrap beautifully, and an amazing array of superb…read moreproducts. Nic.

Goldmark lives right across the road from Michael Hill in Albany Mall. Tough competition if you ask…read moreme. But just as well Goldmark caters for all sorts of needs that aren't limited to those which require huge spendings. I have bought a number of little things from here. A couple of rings and a charm for my Pandora bracelet. The charm is obviously not 'Pandora' but I tell you it's by far my favourite charm. It's a cube and it's blue with an awesome tiled pattern. It looks awesome on my bracelet and I'm pretty sure there's nothing like it in the real Pandora range. Plus it was about half the price you'd pay for an authentic charm! Go Goldmark!

Acquisitions is like a gift store on crack. Seriously, it's packed with so many things to buy…read more Almost too much. You can find yourself walking around the store for way too long faced with too many options to choose from. First world problems, I know, and in many ways less is more. In saying that though, it's the perfect place to go for a present for someone who has everything as there is so much stuff to choose from. It's situated in the Albany Westfield Mall and there's an entrance right buy the store. This means you can park pretty much outside and save yourself running all over the mall. You just need to make sure you drive over to the Cinema side of the mall and enter from there. It's a great place to go if you need a present, something to cheer you up or an hour to kill while window shopping.

I'm probably sexist in believing that girls enjoy gift buying more than men, however men are…read moreprobably the better gift givers, it's the process we hate so much. Maybe we fear buying a bad gift, and that's what inspires us to spend so much time and effort. Shopping for gifts is a torture like no other, but I've narrowed down my gift-buying destination to one, Acquisitions in Albany. This shop caters for all ages, differing tastes and even crosses the cultural barrier with ease. No matter the occasion, or the person on the receiving end, the gifts you can get here are of high quality, and for most instances, inexpensive too. My birthday is coming up soon, please feel free to shop for my gift at Acquisitions, they've got my approval.

What I love most about Sole Sisters is the name. There's the awesome play on words, the hidden…read moremeanings that can be interpreted in different ways and the alliteration. It's a great name! Besides that there's a lot more to love about the place. It's the only shop quite like it in Mairangi Bay, which makes it special in itself as it's a stand out from the masses of cafes that surround it. It is primarily a shoe shop but personally I don't think of it this way. The shoes are aimed at an age category a tad older than mine so it's not very often that I find a pair of shoes that I'd want to buy. It does happen.. just not that often. I like it because of the accessories. There's some lovely handbags and jewelry. Specifically Karen Walker jewelry is sold here and, even though it can be pricey, it is beautiful and the ultimate gift for a special friend. If you're in Mairangi Bay pop in and take a look for yourself.

Located in the village alongside all of Mt Eden's cafes, is this well stocked gift shop…read more There is a good range here, and at a variety of prices which is nice. I got a really nice picture frame here once for a friend's birthday. It was in the shape of a bird and I think it was less than $20 (from memory), so it ticked all the boxes really! I found the staff to be friendly and helpful and I was able to get the frame giftwrapped. Pomegranate is a good shop to have a browse in if you are in the village. It's worth a look for some gift giving inspiration!

Pomegranate is a lovely little gift store, in particular for the home. A few years back I bought a…read morelovely mohair throw from here, one that is actually mohair unlike cheaper ones sold elsewhere, I still have it and have my eye on a bright orange one they currently have in store. There is a great candle selection here too, as well as scents for the home and they do have some nice glassware too. They also stock some New Zealand made products such as ceramics from Jenz Studio which are hand crafted here. If you are after something a little different for your home or a gift for someone else Pomegranate is worth a look in.