Geoff's is no longer the in-the-know Auckland hipster's secret. Go here on Halloween and you will…read moresee what I mean. Luckily, Halloween only happens once a year but year round Geoff's is the place that truly does have everything. I am most often here for random products like baby oil ($6 for a small bottle of branded petroleum by-product at a supermarket? $2 here), fabric dye, art supplies, sewing stuff and what must be Auckland's cheapest fabric. No offence to Spotlight, but go here first if you need anthing crafty. There's ribbon, cotton, buttons, sparkly bits, belt buckles, bra pads, googly eyes, appliques, patches.... on and on and on. The fabric selection is no small part of the shop and the pricing fairly freakin ridiculous. You'll also find toys, costume jewellery, probably Auckland's biggest range of wigs and "ready-costumes" for adults and kids, as well as such essential props as tiaras, plastic swords, feather boas, cowboys hats, gloves, face paint and garters. There are paints, brushes, canvases, dyes, sketch books...... You can even buy paperbacks, hardware, kitchen equipment, candles and it just goes on. What I love most about Geoff's is that it has been around as long as I can remember and as far as I know, Geoff himself is still around too. My kids love coming here with a handful of coins and leaving with treasures and so do I. The staff are awesome and Geoff's is such a wonderful reminder to me that some things don't ever change, they just get better with age.

This place is AWESOME. Recommended to me by a fellow sewing friend, I decided to check it out…read moretoday. Walked in the door and thought wow, this place is a bit...crappy. But then I walked in further, through the narrow door and into a huge space, filled with all manner of crafty supplies! I was there to buy interfacing, and buy it I did - 5m for $5! Incredible prices. I also got a zip for $1.05 and a belt buckle kit for $1. The prices are insane, even cheaper than what I paid living in the US. I saw some gorgeous fabrics in there, too, but I'm trying to watch my fabric budget right now so I sadly left it behind...for now. The woman who served me was really friendly, carefully rolled up my interfacing and asked about my projects. I can't wait to go back and browse their fabrics some more, and they will definitely be my go-to place for notions, too! I didn't explore the rest of the shop too closely, as I had a sick husband in tow, but they have a huge range of paint/art supplies, party supplies, incense and other trinkets, and heaps of other stuff too.

This is such a cool store, one of the go to options for when I have to buy gifts because everything…read morethere is unique. Even though it is New Zealand designed and made, there is not too much kiwiana, that makes for good gifts for tourists or people you know who are overseas but much of the store is just products created by amazingly talented people of whom Texan Art Schools bring collectively into their store. You'll find textiles, glass, ceramics, jewelry and prints here as well as what I think must be feijoa candles because the store smells of feijoas. A while back I purchased some amazing glass vases and a dish for myself and had wanted to go back and get another colour of one of the vases. It was gone. So lesson here is that you need to just buy it at the time. Stock is often limited.

Is this an Art School? I'm not sure. What I know it has is a great New Zealand gift and NZ made…read moresouvenir shop. If you want good quality New Zealand gifts then this is the place to come. They do loads of stuff, including Jewellery, paintings, signs, korus, ceramics, wood carvings, sculptures, you name it. Many of the items they sell are also one offs so very unique bits which are wonderful for special gifts whether it be for someone living in NZ or family and friends overseas. Also while some things are expensive, I think they have something for everyone's budget. I have been to the Newmarket and Ponsonby stores and have found staff at both to be very helpful with advice for gifts.

As a professional artist and teacher I need a top art supply store that not only helps me with my…read moresupplies and in-depth technical knowledge of the range of products I require - or products I am interested in researching for potential use - but I also need an art supply store that reliable and is able to supply, help and advise my students, answer their questions and send orders well packaged. Studio Art supplies is my NZ art supply store of choice for almost all the products I use. These people really know their products and being artists themselves, they have the knowledge and expertise I can rely on and recommend to my students. This is why I have stayed with them for over 20 years. Susan Harrison-Tustain

As the name suggests, Studio Art Supplies is a brilliant art supply store that is designed to cater…read moreto students and budding young creators. Located in Grey Lynn, this store stocks everything from oil paints to charcoals and pastels, canvases to recycled papers, brushes to spatulas and anything else even remotely art related. The staff are all very helpful - many of them are artists themselves and offer their advice and expertise as soon as you walk in the door. Although I'm usually happiest left to my own devices, they were particularly helpful when I needed advice choosing different paper weights for printing. Outside the store is a big board which customers are encouraged to leave their mark on. This is a really fun and inspirational wall, as it is a good place to share your ideas and sketches. Often local artists can also be found in the store creating their masterpieces - it's a great way to keep us stressed students and designers motivated. I definitely recommend this store to any local artists, as it will provide you with any supplies and all the encouragement you need! Tip: Studio Art Supplies offers specials and discounts to customers upon the presentation of a student ID - so students get those ID cards ready!

You would be forgiven for thinking this place was merely a stationery shop but they have a very…read moregood selection of books too. I guess they know there are some literary types in Parnell who know good fiction from the dross you get at Whitcoulls. I think it was this store that got me into the writer Paul Auster as I bought 'Moon Palace' here a couple of years ago. They also have a good choice of hardback books for your coffee table and I often used to browse at these when I visited the shop. They have good diaries too and I considered buying one only that I figured with a smart phone I probably did not need it. I am surprised there is not more good bookstores in Parnell but they are not really economically viable these days anyway. If you are in this neighbourhood and have an interest in books, you should definitely pop in here and have a look.

Art Stores are so much fun, and Gordon Harris is the crème de la crème of Art Stores. The Symonds…read moreStreet store is usually packed with all sorts of goodies because it needs to supply loads of art students at AUT and Auckland University. The staff are usually actual artists who have a really good understanding of the products and also what you are trying to do creatively. I used this store to buy pens and paper for my Advertising papers. It did get rather expensive but their products are such good quality I'd always regret it when I didn't buy them from Gordon Harris. They also have loads of Moleskin notebooks which are the prized possession of many creative people. This store is great for anyone endeavouring to make art or if you just like the thought of doing it and want to have a squiz.

I hoped I wouldn't end up in a Robert Harris café when I was looking for this small art supply…read morestore. Over on Symonds St, in a handy location to Auckland's university students, is Gordon Harris. They acknowledge their target market by offering you a student discount on purchases. Sadly the staff are also part of this target market, so the service is lacking, virtually non-existent. I'm sure it doesn't take 3 staff members 15 minutes to choose the shape of a minor display sign. The friendlier staff of Whitcoulls, Queen St were happy enough to bring this shop to my attention when I couldn't find what I needed in their store. And really, the only reason for visiting Gordon Harris would be if you can't find what you're after in your local stationary store.

It seems Japanese shops such as this one are growing like mushrooms!…read moreI would rank this one as my second favourite, the kitchen section in particular has lots of pretty soup bowls and pans and steamers. As mentioned in my fellow Yelpers's reviews there are also the stationery and bathroom sections and lots of random cute thingies no one needs... But oh they' so cheap so why not?!

This place is pretty awesome, hidden in an obscure location, you almost miss it. Thankfully for the…read morevibrant orange and black sign to mark the narrow entrance you begin your decent into the lower depths of Queen Street to find yourself in a rather large store that I could not accurately categorise. This is because there is a lot of stuff here, stationary, the gift bags and paper section is great, Hello Kitty and Snoopy are well represented here. There are aisles of all kinds of things for your home, a massive chopstick section, Hello Kitty cling wrap, food bags and plasters. Interestingly a big range of nappies and other baby things. It is fun just to look around, there are some odd things here too, especially in the bathroom and cleaning sections. Good fun I say, you'll walk away with things you didn't need but make are entertaining none the less. (Hello Kitty keeps my food fresh now).

Wah Lee is such a delightful oriental emporium…read more They stock all sorts from teapots, ceramics, and paper lanterns, to beaded slippers and jasmine tea just to name a few. I really enjoy wandering through the store and stocking up on something different and quirky every visit. I have been to San Francisco and it reminded me of a few stores I had seen while shopping in China Town. I love that they have a real mix of products not just one type you have a vast variety! During Guy Fawkes celebrations they are mega popular from 2nd-5th of November when then sell a few popular brands of fireworks. The tea pots and Chinese vases are my fave at the store they have some really beautiful designs that compliment the home and kitchen. Worth a stop in to funk up the flat, home or grab some cool gifts for friends.

Wah Lee's was the one of the first shops to stock "Asian" food in Auckland; it's been around since…read more1904 and is still possibly one of best places to go in the city, mostly 'cause it's maybe the furtherest thing I can think of from a chain store; totally idiosyncratic and full of personality. As they say on their Facebook page: "We have had many chats, possibly not the best for someone that likes efficient service-although the staff may think that is what you want." It's almost impossible to explain Wah Lee's to someone who hasn't been there: they sell food, but also fireworks, but also health supplements, but also bamboo blinds, plus shoes, plus tea. It's really just a treasure trove. You could spend hours here digging through everything, and the staff would probably just help you rather than scowl and try and move you on as they would in other places. Look, it's just great: please go there and spend money so they can last another 109 years. (There was a great documentary about this place on Nat Rad a few years ago; tracing both the change in shopping habits but also Auckland's Chinese community; it's probably still up on the Radio NZ website if you're interested.)

Good service. Great selection and knowledgeable staff…read more Went for painting items and they had everything needed

What an amazing craft store! Knitters, spinners, weavers, artists and quilters will consider this a…read moreone of a kind place to just take in the variety of products and goods here.

A fabulous shop with everything for artists of all abilities. Quality products, friendly and…read morehelpful, and with staff that know what they are talking about! What else would you want?!