FIVE TOP PICKS
Trawling vintage and retro stores is a brilliant pastime when travelling.
ŌAMARU
We can’t pick just one store in this incredible town. Some of the many gems include Oasis O¯ amaru, the Buggy Robot Gallery, Slightly Foxed Secondhand Books and Arthur’s Antiques. Once you’ve worked your way around the town’s historic precinct, order a tasty beer at Craftwork, a microbrewery, and if you’ve worked up an appetite check out Cucina for dinner. Delicious!
WAIPĀ
A district in Waikato that is punching well above its weight in terms of an amazing selection of antique, vintage and charity stores. It is slightly tucked out of the way and off the main drag so often has fantastic stock available.
CHRISTCHURCH
There are so many vintage and secondhand stores to choose from that you could spend a week there and still not see them all. One particular favourite is the Woolston Emporium: basically a second-hand mall with eight amazing vintage retailers in one giant space. Pop along to Claude’s Kitchen to stay fuelled while hunting for treasures.
HASTINGS
A fantastic alternative to the higherprofile Napier. There’s the stunning So Vintage, a specialist in French vintage furniture and homewares. Coffee from Cupple, a bite at the Long Island Deli, and refreshments from Common Room are all recommended as you explore other independent stores or visit Te Whare Toi o Heretaunga – Hastings City Art Gallery.
HUNTERVILLE
This is cheating as not one but five mind-blowing stores are owned by one couple along one historic strip. Once done, pop around the corner to get a coffee and sausage roll from Relish Rangitīkei.