13 Best Places to Shop in Wellington, Wellington and the Wairarapa

On Sunday, between 7:30 am and 1 pm, folks flock to this outdoor food market on the waterfront. Organic produce, cheese, fresh fish, and meats are the main draws. A plethora of food trucks serve coffee and international street foods.

This friendly and locally owned store sells new and secondhand books with a strong focus on New Zealand fiction and nonfiction.

Based on the gorgeous decor alone, this store focused on leather accessories—handbags, shoes, and wallets—is well worth a visit. The leather in their products is all ethically and locally sourced.

Laidback streetwear for men and women meets high fashion in this independent, family-owned store. It mixes some of the best-known global brands with local labels, so the shelves are well stocked with the latest trends in clothing, sneakers, and accessories.

This spot sells camping gear and outdoor clothing from international brands as well as footwear.

A comprehensive range of Jane Daniels's New Zealand ladies' fashions is available here. All pieces are locally manufactured from European fabrics.

Wellington is a fine place to stock up on camping supplies before hitting the great outdoors. Kathmandu carries its house brand of clothing and equipment.

Part gallery, part gift store, this establishment has a strong contemporary Māori current running through the art and its other offerings, which include jewelry and ceramics. Some of the smaller, less-expensive items make unique New Zealand souvenirs.

The Old Bank Arcade sits in the elegant neoclassical walls of the former Bank of New Zealand. The arcade is something of a fashion enclave, containing a slew of well-known boutiques, including New Zealand designers Taylor, Ricochet, and Standard Issue. Look for classic jewelry at The Gold Exchange and delicious handmade sweets at Devonport Chocolates.

Find a generous supply of New Zealand and Māori literature in this bright and spacious independent bookstore.

Outposts of top New Zealand and local Wellington labels line Victoria Street and its little Lombard Laneway. Find phenomenal fragrances at World, chic and understated leather bags at Yu Mei, and luxury lingerie at Lonely. Further fashion can be found at Wilson Trollope, Juliette Hogan, Kilt, and Karen Walker's Playpark. Luckily, there are great coffee shops nearby to take a rest from retail therapy.

At the crossroads where Willis Street meets Lambton Quay, you'll find plenty of shopping for the whole family. Above ground level are fashion and housewares boutiques Flo & Frankie and Gorman, the Lego store, and T2, a tea lovers' haven. Underground on Willis Lane, you'll dive into vaults and tunnels with mini golf, 10-pin bowling, arcade games, and plenty of quick bites.

Well-established New Zealand designer Elisabeth Findlay whips up innovative and extremely wearable clothes for women and men.