Below you'll find insider tips on getting the best from New Zealand, from hints on finding a home to reviews of the hottest restaurants in town.
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Alcohol
Less than a decade ago you couldn’t buy alcohol in New Zealand on Sundays, supermarkets couldn’t sell alcohol at all and the legal drinking age was 20. Now the laws are more liberal. As... read more
Art
New Zealand has a thriving local art industry, with contemporary and abstract works especially popular. The artist spoken of in the most revered terms is the late abstract painter Colin... read more
Art & Craft Supplies
Depending on how seriously you take your arts and crafts, you’ll either want to frequent specialist stores – usually more expensive and stock higher quality goods – or the cheaper... read more
Baby Items
Two major chains sell a general range of international and local brand baby, toddler and maternity items (but not maternity wear): Baby Factory (www.babyfactory.co.nz, 0800 222 932) and... read more
Beachwear
You’ll have a tough time finding swimwear outside the summer season – which is frustrating if you plan to take a tropical Pacific Island holiday in July – but it’s not impossible. There... read more
Bicycles
Though relatively few New Zealanders commute by bicycle, cycling is a popular sport – especially mountain biking – so there are plenty of specialist stores selling all the big... read more
Books
The book market in New Zealand is dominated by Whitcoulls (www.whitcoulls.co.nz, 09 985 6570), which has about 80 branches nationwide, and Paper Plus (www.paperplus.co.nz, 0800 727 377)... read more
Camera Equipment
New Zealand is internationally competitive when it comes to the cost of most camera equipment – especially if you buy from smaller online dealers, who are often very responsive to even... read more
Car Parts & Accessories
New Zealanders love their cars and you’ll find plenty of businesses selling car parts. The country is following international trends of souping up cars, in the vein of American TV... read more
Clothes
An Australian chain that's fairly new to New Zealand, moderately priced Tarocash appeals mostly to men aged 20 40 and carries smart casual wear that follows the fashions of the day. At... read more
