The Top 13 New Zealand Markets
David Sims
| Last Updated: October 2023 It’s your first trip to New Zealand, and you’re eager to immerse yourself in the local culture and, of course, indulge in a bit of shopping at the famed markets. So, armed with a shopping list, you become overwhelmed by fascinating items at every turn—you’re like a kid in a candy store.
You strike up conversations with friendly market vendors, discover hidden stalls, and finally find your way out laden with more shopping bags than you can handle!
If this sounds like you, let me take you on a journey through New Zealand’s best markets, where losing your way might just be the best thing to happen!
1. Auckland Night Markets
Website: Auckland Night Market
Address: 20 Fort Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Hours: Saturday – 5 PM to 11 PM
Phone: +64 27 551 2797
Auckland Night Market is without a doubt one of the best markets in New Zealand. Every weekend, it transforms into a colourful festival of sights, sounds, and smells, offering a bounty of retail stalls selling everything from locally crafted souvenirs to fresh produce.
You’ll find a range of global cuisines, including Korean BBQ, Argentinian empanadas, and Turkish kebabs.
Pro Tip: Get there early to beat the crowds, but don’t miss out on the live music performance at 7 PM!
2. Matakana Farmers’ Market
Address: 2 Matakana Valley Road, Matakana 0985, New Zealand
Hours: Saturday – 8 AM to 1 PM
Just a short drive north of Auckland, you’ll discover the charming Matakana Farmers’ Market. This market offers an authentic experience for those seeking to sample the fresh, organic produce that New Zealand is famous for.
The Matakana Farmers’ Market is a haven for foodies, featuring an array of locally sourced goods, from organic fruits and vegetables to artisan breads, gourmet cheese, and fresh seafood.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to try the famous Matakana honey, known for its unique floral flavours. And while you’re there, keep an eye out for the regular cooking demonstrations and live music performances.
3. Otara Flea Market
Website
Address: Newbury Street, Manukau, Auckland 2023, New Zealand
Phone: +6492740830
Hours: Saturday 6 AM to 12 PM
If you find yourself in the heart of South Auckland on a Saturday, visiting the Otara Flea Market is an absolute must. This market is one of New Zealand’s largest and most vibrant, boasting a diverse array of stalls that reflect Otara’s rich Pacific Island heritage.
Browse stalls selling everything from fresh produce, jewellery, clothing, and Pacific Island food to art and crafts made by talented local artisans.
Pro Tip: Make sure to try out the traditional Pacific Island cuisine, especially the mouth-watering taro and coconut buns. And don’t forget to bring your own shopping bags, as this is an environmentally friendly market that encourages sustainable practices.
4. Wellington Night Market
Address: Service Ln, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Phone: +642102818785
The vivacious energy of New Zealand’s capital city is perfectly encapsulated in the Wellington Night Market. The bustling street of Left Bank off Cuba Street transforms into an enigmatic world of sights, sounds, and flavours.
This market is a foodie’s paradise, offering a smorgasbord of delicacies from all around the world. From succulent Asian dim sum to spicy Mexican tacos, the gastronomic delights are boundless.
Pro Tip: Don’t miss out on the famous deep-fried kiwi sushi, a unique delicacy you can only find at this market.
5. Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Market
Website
Address: Kenilworth Road Waipatu, Hastings 4122, New Zealand
Phone: +64276973737
Hours: Sunday – 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Every Sunday, the serene showgrounds of Hastings come alive with the aromas of freshly brewed coffee, the sound of live music, and the vibrant colours of locally grown produce.
From crisp apples, juicy peaches, and luscious berries to artisanal cheeses, homemade jams, and organic honey, there’s an astounding range of farm-fresh goodies to choose from.
Pro Tip: Flo’s Smoothies & Soups at Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Market is a must-try for their delicious and healthy smoothie bowls.
6. Harbourside Market
Website
Address: Corner Barnett and, Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Phone: +6421765694
Hours: Sunday – 7:30 AM to 2 PM
This bustling marketplace buzzes every Sunday morning with locals and tourists alike, who come to bask in its vibrant atmosphere and enjoy the freshest seafood in the region.
The market’s seaside location only enhances the experience, as the cool ocean breeze wafts through the stalls laden with a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and mouth-watering street food.
Pro Tip: Make a beeline for Chipa NZ. This vibrant market stall is renowned for its delicious Paraguayan cheese bread, known as ‘chipa’. Crunchy on the outside with a soft, cheesy interior, these gluten-free circles of deliciousness are a must-try for both food connoisseurs and casual eaters alike.
7. Riccarton Market
Website
Address: 165 Racecourse Road, Broomfield, Christchurch 8042, New Zealand
Phone: +6433390011
Hours: Sunday – 9 AM to 2 PM
Riccarton is a shopper’s paradise, with over 300 stalls selling everything from handmade crafts to fresh produce. This bustling market is the perfect place to find unique gifts or indulge in some retail therapy.
There’s also a diverse range of street food options, so you can grab a bite while wandering through the stalls.
Pro Tip: Don’t miss out on Henrietta’s Country Creams at Riccarton Market. This stall is famous for its homemade skincare creams made with all-natural ingredients.
8. Tauranga Farmers’ Market
Website
Address: 31 Fifth Avenue, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand
Phone: +64274915876
Hours: Saturday 7:45 AM to 12 PM
Tauranga Farmers’ Market is a paradise for food lovers, offering a plethora of locally sourced products ranging from organic vegetables and artisan cheeses to free-range eggs and honey.
The ambience of the market, filled with the laughter of locals, the strumming of live music, and the scent of fresh produce, truly captures the vibrant spirit of the Tauranga community.
Pro Tip: Don’t miss out on the Happy Horizons stand at Tauranga Farmers’ Market. Happy Horizons is a local favourite, known for its sustainable natural skincare and beauty products.
9. Nelson Saturday Market
Website
Address: 47 Montgomery Square, Nelson 7010, New Zealand
Phone: +6435466454
Hours: Saturday – 8 AM to 1 PM
The Nelson Saturday Market has been a staple in the Nelson community for more than four decades. Every Saturday, the city centre comes alive with stalls stocked full of everything from handmade crafts and bespoke jewellery to organic skincare and local art.
The food section of the market is especially delightful, offering a tantalising array of local produce, fresh baked goods, and a medley of international cuisines.
Pro Tip: Treat yourself to some caramelised nuts at Nutty D’Lites if you need some energy while strolling through the market.
10. Dunedin Farmers’ Market
Website
Address: 5/27 Anzac Avenue, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
Phone: +64211482116
Hours: Saturday 8 AM to 12:30 PM
Nestled in the historic Dunedin Railway Station, this market is celebrated as one of New Zealand’s finest. It showcases the bounty of the Otago region, with an astounding variety of fresh local produce and artisanal goods.
Stroll through the vibrant stalls and you’ll find everything from organic dairy products and free-range eggs to seasonal fruits, locally roasted coffee, and beautifully baked bread. It’s a haven for foodies, with an array of stalls offering mouth-watering meals made from the freshest ingredients.
Pro Tip: Make sure to visit the Who Ate All the Pies stall. Be sure to try their signature savoury beef, mushroom, and red wine pie.
11. Hamilton Farmers’ Market
Website
Address: Gate 3 Brooklyn Road, Claudelands, Hamilton 3214, New Zealand
Hours: Sunday – 8 AM to 12 PM
Located on the banks of the mighty Waikato River, this market is renowned for its home-grown produce and friendly atmosphere. Every Sunday, it transforms into a bustling hub where local farmers, growers, and artisan food producers display their fresh produce and speciality items.
Wandering through the aisles, you will encounter a cornucopia of fresh fruits, crisp vegetables, and prime cuts of meat. Don’t miss out on the handmade cheeses—a particular highlight is the creamy yet slightly tangy blue cheese that has gourmands coming back week after week.
The market also offers an array of baked goods, local honey, and handmade chocolates. But the real star here is undoubtedly the freshly caught Waikato River eel.
Pro Tip: Stop at Oat Bros for a snack while at the Hamilton Farmer’s Market. Their delicious and healthy oat-based snacks are a favourite among marketgoers.
12. The Old Packhouse Market, Kerikeri
Address: 505 Kerikeri Road, Kerikeri 0293, New Zealand
Hours:
- Saturday – 8 AM to 1:30 PM
- Sunday – 9 AM to 1:30 PM
The Old Packhouse Market in Kerikeri thrives as a community hub, providing a platform for 100 vendors from all over Northland to showcase their products. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee, baked goods, and a variety of other culinary delights immediately entices your senses as you enter.
Stalls are teeming with a vast array of locally sourced goodness, including organic fruits and vegetables, artisan bread, handmade sausages, and gourmet cheese. An absolute must-try is the luscious Kerikeri orange marmalade, a local delicacy known for its delightful balance of sweetness and bitterness.
Pro Tip: Head to the Old Packhouse Market on Saturday mornings for live music from talented local musicians while you shop.
