Xpress Stationery is a proper stationery shop; it's not your usual chain store full of one type of…read morepencil or pen. They have things here you won't find in those places (good pastels; patterned papers), as well as a decent range of magazines. They're also helpful if you don't know quite what you'd like, and are happy to spend time with making sure you're getting what you need. Unlike those other chain stores, this place also has a small gallery space; whilst I've never seen any art here I really like, I applaud them for using their space for supporting artists.

Xpress Stationery has items that you can't get in the "mall" shops. The owner is knowledgeable and…read moreif they don't happen to stock what you need, they happily get it in for you. The personalised service is great and the art/craft supplies make gift buying very easy - gets those creative juices flowing.

Cute well-managed shop on the college campus. This would be a good location for a truly local…read moresouvenir - they set AUT sweatshirts, tshirts and other items as well as notebooks, cards and pens. Textbooks are available of course, should you need something to read.

Auckland University's bookstore is where it all goes down on campus. It's where students buy all…read moretheir textbooks and stationary, as well as sell old books and find the perfect diaries and organisers. The selection of textbooks downstairs is pretty amazing, but novels, poetry, specialty and art books are also available upstairs. I purchased my copy of The Book Thief from UBS during one of my breaks and even got to use my student discount which was an added bonus! Though all students rely on UBS, it can be a bit of a love-hate relationship. The textbooks are all pretty pricey and although it's possible to sell old textbooks back to the store, UBS will not re-purchase any books that aren't being used that semester or are deemed 'too old'. This can be really frustrating! However all in all, the staff are pretty helpful when it comes to finding the appropriate books and the student discount helps too.

I needed to buy some presents before my recent trip to visit a nephew and niece under the age of 14…read moreand Smiggle was the answer to my calls for help. This store has a crazy cool amount of options to choose from for the young and hip kid. I loved that there was a different style and colour for every pencil case, folder, writing book, journal, and money safe. It did make trying to decide on a design quite hard at first, but with help from the really friendly and chatty sales assistant, I was on my way with a bag of Smiggle gear for the kids in less than 15 minutes. Smiggle has everything the kid would need for school. For example bags, wallets, lunch boxes, drink bottles, funky slap bands to swap with friends, writing tools. It's completely endless, and mind boggling what they have come up with, it's like they have entered the child's mind and asked- what would you want? Always a fun time shopping here, I get to be a kid for a bit.

Before I developed my love for independant bookstores, Whitcoulls was my go-to for Christmas…read morepresents. A book (or board game, if I was feeling generous) for each family member and I was done. Despite being a chain, they've got a relatively good selection and the staff that i've interacted with seem to like and read a number of them, which is always a plus. Whitcoulls of course, also have stationery, magazines and a small selection of puzzles too. If you desperate for a gift, they're a one stop shop that's often open late but personally, now that we've got our own independent bookstore in Milford, The Booklover, I'd much rather support them and get a recommendation that's sure to wow!

Good range of stock, fairly kind & responsive staff (thank you) I like to look over the cards best…read moreof all. Thanks for your work- Graham

Paperplus have it all: apart from friendliness. This crowd have raised their profile, with…read moreattractive and eye-catching shop fronts and content within some stores, over the last couple of years. They stock great 'back to school' stationery, general magazines including 'Frankie' and 'Russh'. Good cards and book selection too. They seem to have upped the anty with their gift ideas including scented lip balms, showers caps and other unusual things for a bookstore. The staff are hostile, unfortunately. No greetings and/or manners for that matter. Great location in Three Lamps shops, in Ponsonby. Good air conditioning too!!!

All booklovers have a favourite place where they can find books that were waiting for them. Book…read moreMark in Takapuna is my place. I love to walk in there and absorb the culture, the smell and the hundreds of years of toil that went into their creation. The art books impress, the biographies inspire and the novels make me realize what I'm yet to achieve. Maybe it is not in my future to write a novel, but at least I know where I can go to find great works of written art. For fans of military works, you will be impressed with their large collection, and for those simply wishing to browse, you are more than welcome. Maybe you'll even see me there.

Every time I'm down in Browns Bay something always pulls me to Paper Power. Is it something to do…read morewith my stationary obsession, primal need to find a bargain and my ability to use retail therapy to fix all problems? Yup, you've caught me red handed. This shop fills all my wants and needs as it's packed with awesome stuff at the best prices. Whether I'm late for party and need to pick up sellotape asap, or am just in the mood to browse around all their crazy store, it's great. It'd be a really great place to do the yearly shopping for the kids' stationary as they have everything other stationary stores have, but it's just a lot cheaper. Otherwise, if you're just a stationary nerd like me, it's a great way to fill in an afternoon hehe.

This shop is a regular life saver for me. Be it a Kiwibank transaction, paying a car registration,…read morebuying a last minute birthday card (some are only $1 or $2 - wow!) and a pen to write in it with. The number of times Mitchell's Paper Plus has come to my rescue is countless. I don't know the names of the family that own this business (I'm pretty sure Mitchell moved on years ago) but they've been here at least 10 or 15 years and they are always lovely and polite to deal with. The pile of jigsaws/cookbooks etc out the front which are permanently on sale also make a good last minute Xmas or birthday gift.

Today, the worst experience happened to me in this shop. A salesman was not satisfied with my…read morelittle girl who is just 2 yrs touch the stuff in the shop and come to complain to me. His voice is so loud and his attitude is so impolite, even not say 'excuse me'. Children are naturally curious, I could not completely stop her but I already tried to. My daughter is not a naughty girl, and she just touched gently. Although she is not right, do you need so badly to us? In the past 7 years, I usually went shopping in northcote shopping center once a week. Most of time I went to this shop for paying the bills or a car registration, or buying some books for me and my daughters. But today's bad memory makes me will not go to that shop again.