I think the days of shopping at surf shops are behind me. Whenever I walk into one I get a wave of…read moreform 1 socials and trying wy to hard to impress boys. Still, for the odd thing, it doesn't help to look. I really like Amazon Takapuna because it's on the road, meaning not in a mall, meaning 100x better. I often waltz into here when i'm walking down this street, just to have a wee lookie. The staff are super friendly and chilled in the way you'd expect from a surf shop and leave you alone until you start to look like you might need some assistance, which i really like. There is a good range of boys and girls surf stuff in the fron and a pretty massive surfboard selection out the back. Theer are also wetsuits, shoes, sunnies, beanies and other surf and skate stuff. plus a few gears for the snow. The store is fun and vibrant and is perfect for the products. Being just up the road from Takapuna beach, it always feels pretty summery and relaxed in here which sets the scene nicely for the place.

Nick stayed late to help us find the perfect boards, matched to our individual skill level, and…read morewithin our budget. Brought an engineering mindset to tailored board and fin choice. Great new, used, and demo selection. 10/10 recommend.

Genuine surf shops are hard to find in Auckland. Most "surf shops" are really just stockists of…read moreanything Rip Curl or Billabong and the sales assistants don't know the difference between a short board and a SUP! That's why I consider Ultimate Surf Shop so... well, ultimate. If it's anything surfing orientated you're after, Andre or one of the other knowledgeable staff will certainly be able to suss you out. Whether you want to go all out and buy yourself a brand new board or just stop in for a chat about what the surf is doing and grab a new block of wax this is the place to go. They cater to nooby as learners, eager grommets and old grumpy long boarders. The custom J Dub quad fin board I got from the boys at Ultimate has showed me some seriously good times in the surf. A new addition to Ultimate surf is the Ultimate Skate shop upstairs. Absolutely anything skate will be stored up here and Jesse knows his stuff! He recently put together a board for my boyfriend. I was so thankful he could make the process so simple for me because if I was asked to choose a deck and bearings and wheels and all the other crap going on I wouldn't have known where to start! Ultimate also puts on some awesome events to get involved in from skate jams to movie nights! Lots of good times to be had so I'd recommend getting involved!

Queen Streets Rip Curl store is better than most inner city surf stores. They don't take themselves…read moreas serious as some other stores, who think street wear is high fashion. Also, unlike some other brands, Rip Curl actually stock boards and wetsuits aside from their clothing label. While this might not be super important on Queen St, it's nice to see a surf store that is more than a label. The front half of the store usually stocks the latest fashion and current sales, then the store bottlenecks at the counter and sunglasses section. Upstairs houses the majority of the surf related paraphernalia. Staff tend to be quite clued up and friendly. A great spot to pick up some cheap but sturdy jandals during summer or look at the latest big production surf video.

On the wide pavement outside the store is a coffee table, couches and magazines like my…read moregrandparents beach house. Somewhere inside the shop smelling of old books and wood comes some funk music laid over a surf film. I'm sold. Sitka looks like the refurbished New York loft so popular in the 2010's. This Canadian business produces some excellent quality men's and women's clothing, surf boards, cruisers and long boards. What's equally exciting when you enter the shop, and reaffirms the affiliation New Zealand feels with Canada, is the company's environmental awareness. The shop, the product, the decor is a feast for the eyes and for NZ "greenies".

Underground Skate have been the go-to local shop for nearly 20 years and they know their stuff…read more Always have the best product and the best advice for any fashion and board sports enthusiasts.

Hey they must be right when they claim to probably be the closest surf shop to the surf! You'll…read morefind them just up from Lion Rock and next to the Piha Store. We eyed up the rack of wetsuits outside just in case we found our size. We'll go back to have a good look at their surfboards because they have quite a range of new and second handy. All your label brands for t-shirts, boardies, dresses, sunglasses an essential beach gear. Owner "Ratso" Buchanan is also your contact for the surf school at Piha which my teenagers checked out this summer. Ratso knows a thing or two about this because he's many time national NZ surfing champion & 2011 ASP World Grandmaster Champion.

Owned by 'Ratso' (Ian) he's the grand master of surfing - best over 50 in the world. So you know…read morethis guy knows what he's doing and selling for that matter. Its right next to the local Piha store. This place is great for all things surf. They rent and sell surfboards and wetsuits so great for purchases or travellers stopping in for a visit and wanting to try it out (be weary of the Piha waves). They also sell all the wax and grips - classic surf store gear downgraded to a local scale shop. There's a little chalk board outside which gives you the surf and weather report for that day to which is handy and shows how generous the store owners are. There's a little seating outside too. It's a pretty good little surf shop.

I may be bias because I am from the shore but this is hands down the coolest department store I…read morehave ever been to! Home to Stephen Marr, Lucy and the Powder Room, Karen Walker, Black Box, TopShop as well as a myriad of rotating NZ designers, this place is nothing short of brilliant. Expensive, but brilliant nonetheless. On my last visit I was delighted to see they now also have a wonderful range of quirky terraniums and indoor plants. Definitely well worth checking out if you are looking to add some greenery to your office or home!

Quite a special place, for a morning coffee, quick lunch and afternoon relax, with greens and…read moreflowers. You wouldn't notice that you are actually in paradise. Yes, Paradise has the meaning of 'Garden'. Top Quality coffee, good cheese scone, caramel chocolate slice. Menu is not too complicated, ease for mind when you just into the sunny mood and some inner peace. Or you can choose just grab a coffee and have a stroll in the department store, finely selected fashion there waiting for the right person. Choose a beautiful day, and amaze yourself here. There is nothing more beautiful with a nice coffee I the warm sun.

Thank goodness for Millie! This is one of those shops I always forget about and then when I…read moreremember it exists I say, thank goodness! It's the perfect place to hit up if you are having one of those 'I don't know what to wear' moments as there's always something good to choose from there. The prices are always spot on and really affordable for what they are. You can get a brilliant, individual dress for such a good price. Perfect if it's wedding season or you're having a huge run of 21sts. It's the perfect store for a girl who's just starting out in the workforce - you need to look good but aren't on the salary for super high end just yet. They have heaps of different patterns and styles that are in trend but somehow manage to be really different from everywhere else. And, it's a New Zealand company so you know you're supporting our economy.