Recently refurbished Countdown in Browns Bay. There is now a pharmacy inside which is very handy to…read moreget your prescription filled while you shop (which I am guilty of not using). The shelves are always tidy, the produce fresh and the staff here are always friendly - especially with my 13 month old son! I joke that it's his favorite place to go to see the checkout ladies :)

This is the supermarket I come to when I need something specific. Too many times I've tried my…read morelocal first then ended up having to come here anyway, nothing more frustrating than going to two supermarkets in one day! Far bigger range of products. Today I even swiped my own groceries, felt like a checkout operator (not so good) but at least my groceries were packed properly!

Everyone loves a farmer's market right? Well if you don't, then you haven't been to a good one…read more Farro Fresh is what would happen if a supermarket and the Matakana Market had a baby. And boy is it a cute baby. There are a couple of these around Auckland now, but I have only been to this one and I love it. Walking in, it's really clean, smells fresh and is jam-packed with goodies. There are different areas for things like fresh produce, seafood, fine wine, boutique chocolates, cheeses, deli and filled rolls. You're never far from a helpful staff member who can always help you find what you need. You would think that a place like this would be really expensive, but it ain't. There are definitely expensive things, but they also have really great specials on every day so it's very common to be able to pick up a little bit of luxury for less. Don't be scared off by the fanciness - you'll be surprised by how similar the pricing is to your local supermarket, and yet how the quality at Farro is better.

Yes, Farro is expensive but their array of artisanal products is second to none (ok, so perhaps…read moretheir on par with Sabato). I particularly love their charcuterie and cheese sections complete with tastings and fabulous staff to help you nudge you in the right direction. They also have a wonderful range of cookbooks - our latest purchase was Ottolenghi's vegetable cookbook, 'Plenty' - as well as cooking and baking utensils. Don't miss their fabulous chocolate selection (new Wellington producer, The Wellington Company's salted caramel chocolate is out of this world) and of course the, Harney & Sons teas.

I generally head to Tai Ping Trading Company after an evening at neighbouring yoga studio The Loft…read more Tai Ping is open late, and its shining lights tend to entice me as I'm walking back to my car. The main reason I go to Tai Ping is to choose from the array of tofu they have for sale. There is a huge range of fresh tofu in water, pre-packaged chunks (either marinated or plain) and other different presentations of this delicious soy staple. I also head to the noodle fridge to pick up fresh noodles, which you can grab in various different styles for just a couple of bucks. It's astounding how cheap the fresh stuff is here and I'm really happy when I see the total ring up on the register. Tai Ping is also great for stocking your pantry and fridge with Asian staples - I like to grab sauces (soy, oyster, mushroom), oils (chili, sesame) and other items such as mirin and sushi seasoning. It often takes me quite a while to get through these, particularly given that Tai Ping sells everything in such big bottles for so cheap!

Have you ever looked up an Asian recipe on the Internet but not had a clue what 80 percent of the…read moreingredients were? Do not be discouraged my friend, take that shopping list down to the Taiping Trading Company, they will sort you out no problem. This place is a galaxy of strange Eastern flavors, I would recommend just starting anywhere, pick a shelf and pick a sauce bottle, this is going to take a bit of trial and error, but if you persevere you will be able to out cook your friends soon enough. Seriously some of those bottles are literally just instant recipes, just poor it all over your frying pan and presto. PS don't worry if you do not know which soya sauce to choose, they have like 20 different types but they all taste the same.

Shop itself 5 stars. Great Countdown/Woolworths. Spacious, well-stocked and good selection, plenty…read moreof parking underground. Customer Service 2 stars. Don't know about the rest of the staff, but blonde girl at self-checkout during my trip certainly decided to treat us differently from all the customers. Not many minorities around here, don't know if that might be a reason.

Large aisles and few customers are the positives I experienced here…read more Staff were very helpful. Underground parking, with ramp for your trolley so one doesn't get wet. Open till 10pm, for those last minute, late night needs.

I'm a card-holding New World-aholic. Stepping inside other supermarkets makes me shudder. Kumeu New…read moreWorld has only made my addiction worse. This place is beautifully set out, with aisles comfortably big enough to accommodate 2 trolleys, and plenty of checkouts always open ready to help you. The butcher stocks the biggest scotch fillet steaks I've ever seen, along with rib roasts & T-bone steaks. They also make their own sausages. With a kick-ass deli, fresh fish counter & a great range of locally grown produce, you almost feel like you're shopping at a gourmet supermarket.

How could I give a supermarket five stars?!…read more To start with, when I first walked in, I thought I'd got the wrong place. There are these stunning bright red chandeliers set over a large dining table just to the side of the main entrance. Then I realised this was just a rather different supermarket shopping experience. I initially popped in just because I was in the area and in a hurry - I have closer regular supermarket. But whenever I'm around Half Moon Bay or feel like a change in the drudgery of grocery shopping, I always head in here. It's not a big barn of a place, and is actually quite small as far as supermarkets go, but it's packed with everything you'd expect from even the giant-sized competitors. I can't say how nice the shopping experience is - it's quiet enough to actually think, and the sometimes the staff greet you as you walk the aisles..! And a bonus; the sign on the door says it's locally owned and operated.

On a whim, I decided to check out as many Korean supermarkets that I could find in Glenfield. I…read morestopped after I found Wang Foodmarket, a little bit b/c I was tired but mostly b/c this place ticks all the boxes. I cannot be sure but the quality of the premises looks very new and shiny. It has the layout of regular supermarket like a Countdown or New World, except all the shelves are lined with products from the homeland and K-POP is playing in the background. The aisles are wide and uncluttered so it is easy to navigate your trolley through the store. Their general selection, butcher and frozen sections deserve special mention. Also, of all the stores I went to today, Wang Foodmarket has the lowest prices. The quality of their veggies and side dish selection was a bit average but they are doing so many other things right I can overlook it and still give 5 stars. Most ethnic supermarkets are notorious for being stuffed to the brim a bit haphazardly to a point of making them intimidating. Wang Foodmarket really overcomes that to make it your adventure shopping enjoyable again.

You know how there are key economic, financial, social, and environmental developmental indicators…read morethat demonstrate the stage of a country? Well surely the presence of kale chips and kombucha is the indicator that a nation has surpassed first world wealth status and is now so wealthy that they can focus on making cheap ingredients delicious and trendy. I love kale chips, kombucha and those crazy activated nuts and pleasingly Waiheke Fruit and Veg stocks them all, along with a great selection of fresh fruit and veggies, deli items, gourmet cheese and jars of locally made chutneys and preserves. This is a lovely store to stock on on produce for a picnic or packaged goodies to take home for gifts. It's a little on the pricey side but hey, you can afford it right?

If you can get over the prices, Waiheke Fruit and Vege is a charming, old-fashioned shopping…read moreexperience, except with very modern fruit, vege, and specialty ingredients. It's a sort of corner shop with two entrances, with distinctive chain-link, fly-screen curtains at the doors (but it's not as scary as it sounds!). The fruit and vege here are as good as you'd find at any market, and they specialise in organic produce too. There's a huge selection alongside other bits and pieces like nuts, herbs and spices, and dairy products. They also sell some delicious artisan bread, including gluten free, although like the fruit and vege, it's rather on the pricey side, so I wouldn't recommend doing your whole shop here unless someone else is paying.

Milford has it's very own organic grocer!! SO fancy!…read more Although, it's much to expensive to be my regular grocer, I am stoked that it's here. You know, just in case I have sudden urge to whip up some quinoa or make a chia seed & cacao smoothie. The shelves still look a bit bare but what they do have is Little Island's new chocolate coconut milk. Delicious, but dangerous. I'm warning you, 1L doesn't last long! They also have friendly, fresh-faced staff who welcome you on arrival and a loyalty system that goes someway towards mitigating the price. Well done, Huckleberry, well done!

It's nice place to grab all organic groceries with a delightful stroll along the east coast road…read more Once in a while, you can spot heavy deals on fresh salads, the day before they are restocking!