The giant coke can on the outside of Croydon Dairy is a good example of what to expect from this…read moresuperette. Classic items, reasonable prices and fairly good service. They don't break the mold of convenience stores, with an underwhelming selection of drinks and magazines, but they will have what you need if you are in a pinch and cant be bothered going to the supermarket. Croydon Dairy also sells lotto tickets and instant kiwi if you are in the mood for a quick gamble. It's also quite fun to stand outside and watch the looks of bewilderment on drivers new to the area, as the roadway outside has a fairly odd set of traffic rules.

Just another dairy right? Wrong! This is a good dairy, dare I say great? For those of you…read moreout-of-towners a 'dairy' isn't just a place you go to get your milk, in fact it would be rare to even find a cow mooing about, a dairy is a term for the local convenience store. And there sure is a lot around Auckland. How they all do so well puzzles me as they - along with Rays Dairy - do charge hefty prices for the everyday basics. Rays Dairy even has a peak hour, 'the after school crowd', probably the same people that will become 'the after work drinks' crowd. Ice cream seem to do it for them now though. Rays Dairy have a good deal on ice cream in a cone, $1.50 or $2.50 is pretty darn good eh?! Told you, not just another dairy...

This is my "local" dairy when I'm working, so I know the owner pretty well, well enough that he…read moregives me magazines with the title cut out if he doesn't sell them. I really like this little arrangement, so I wont mention the fact that he sometimes gets pretty slack at re-ordering stock, or the slightly overpriced lighters. Oh , wait a minute... The service is friendly , and the magazine selection is seriously impressive. He has magazines I didn't even know existed, and seems to love conspiracy theory magazines, which I think is awesome. In fact, I think i'm going to actually buy one next time I go in.

Yup, they are the last shop stop before Piha so if you are heading out to the West Coast beaches…read moreand have a necessary dairy article to purchase you had better stop into the Oratia Superette. They have always had, and still do have, the best ice cream cones in town with a rainbow of flavours, as well as all of the freezer packaged ice creams and ice blocks. All of the essentials are here, bread, milk, grocery items and a section where you can purchase your stamps. I love the community notice board at the shop entrance, always brimming with interesting notices.

Anyone who knows anything knows this is the last shop before Piha (not counting the actual shops in…read morePiha). So if you're on your way out for a big day at the beach, this is a common place to stop and stack up on snacks, drinks, magazines and the like; everything you need for a lazy day in the sun shine. Like any truly good dairy they sell ice cream on the cone, not just premade ice creams in the fridges. Heaps of flavours, get a double or a triple, just make sure you don't spill it in the car down those windy Piha roads. It's also a great place to stop on your way home from Piha to grab milk or bread or whatever is you may need.

Easy to get your 5+ a day at Green Bay Fresh! This green grocer sells fresh and delicious fruit and…read moreveggies along with some extra staples in the fridge, eggs, bread and condiments. Since it is so well patronized, me included, the produce rolls out the door ensuring freshness. I like their wide range of produce and I generally find that they are able to extend the best prices on veggies from my comparison shopping. Of course it is best to buy what is in season if you are on a budget and families can get great value by taking advantage of the pre-boxed "ready now" fruit or veggies which are displayed at the front of the store.

I like Green Bay Fresh. I go here when my usual is too far away for me that day, or if I am on…read moreroute to something nearby. While it is on the smaller side (which means less choice inevitably) I do think it has a great selection on offer. It is usually quite quiet and I've never actually seen it busy. But it must get busy at times because the business seems to be doing good, they have been there for years and years and the prices are still reasonable. If you feel like some fresh and seasonal produce from a nicely run and friendly grocer then definitely visit Green Bay Fresh.