All the hype in Matakana is over the Farmers Market, but to be honest my favourite place to go on a…read moreSaturday morning is the Cream of Matakana. It's just down the road, still in the village, in what used to be a dairy factory. Today it's a gift store, and one of my favourites! They do unique art, jewellery, home wares, clothing and a great range of wooden toys. Its like ferreting in a treasure trove; I always end up leaving with something. On Saturdays they have a market outside; a selection of brick-a-brac, food, sunglasses and clothing. The quality of the stalls can vary, and there is a lot of junk but its fun looking through the antiques and scoring a bargain. If you haven't filled up at the farmers market, there is also DELICIOUS Hungarian style bread for sale. The hot cinnamon kind cooked on the rotisserie; scrummo.

Mooi mooi is a gorgeous little store tucked away at the back of Matakana. It was originally an…read moreonline shop and they sell a variety of things for the home. The children's section is very cute. Most of the clothing is the Sticky Fudge range; littler hipster hoodies for boys and floral prints for girls. It's good quality all-natural fabrics and averages about $30 an item. There are a few bits of furniture and the Wonki Ware kitchen range which I love. They also do a nice rage of bird and flower jewellery. Mooi Mooi has a natural but contemporary feel to it; lovely for gift buying or to pop into and have a browse

On site at the Matakana Country Park, The Craft Co-op is an adorable little store filled with hand…read morecrafted treasures. The hard work of over 70 people from around New Zealand is sold here and you can find loads of art, pottery, knitting and wood work. It's all individually created and unique, perfect for gifts. Its ideal shopping for special souvenirs, as it's not too tacky. They also have an excellent range of natural cosmetics and locally made soaps; the proper chunky kind with dried flowers poking out the side. They have an adorable kid's corner, with colourful clothes and costumes and a really nice range of kid's beaded jewellery. The Craft Co-op is perfect for Nanas; take her in there and afterwards have tea and a scone at the Speckled Hen café, perfect!

High Tide is the kind of gift shop that once you know about it, you'll go back to shop for…read moreyourself. So it's type of gift store that has things you'd actually want to receive yourself, rather than just the okay but slightly pointless stuff you sometimes find in other gift shops. It has a New Zealandy theme without being tacky (think teatowels with the Four Square man and lovely handcreams featuring local ingredients and scents). Everytime I go here the stock seems to have been updated, which must be trickly in a little suburban shop, but is so necessary to keep customers' interest. It also has a bit of a beachy theme going on, which is all sort of fresh, white and blue striped, and relevant to the area too (the beach is just down the road). Best of all, the prices are genuinely reasonable for the quality of the products, and the service is brilliant - very relaxed and chatty.

The oldest souvenir shop on Queen Street…read more Surprised that there aren't more souvenir shops in the Central Business District. Kiwiana has stood the test of time. Proudly representing Auckland since 1953.

From the owner: The oldest souvenirs store on Queen Street since 1953. We have a wide range of New Zealand made…read morewood carvings and hand made jade products from local studios.

I am kind of over the affirmation wall art but if you were into them they have loads at Island gift…read moreshop on Waiheke Island. What they also have is a neat selection of other gifts with a beachy bachy theme befitting of island life, hence the name I guess. We'll have a nosey every time we visit Oneroa village, which is where this shop's located. New Zealand made is big here. There are lots of local and Kiwi artists on display here and needless to say plenty of Kiwiana gifts. The surfboard on the toy car, the mirror in the shape of the north and south island to name a couple. We love the jewellery range, there is so much to choose from and it is really reasonably priced. In all, don't miss a visit to Island on the Island if you are after a little window shopping or some purchases you won't come away disappointed. Opposite the coffee Kiosk you won't miss them.

Coast and Country is a gorgeous little gift and home store, perfectly themed for the area. It's a…read moregood place to go shopping for Mum or Nana; think candles, soaps, ornaments, vases and jewellery. They also have a few really nice pieces of furniture (but are unfortunately out of my price range). I always love the cushion covers (for when I one day buy a couch). The back part of the store has high quality kitchenware and funky utensils. They also have a few cool (but thankfully not tacky) Kiwiana items. They have loads in there (I've not even really begun to cover it) it's definitely worth a browse.