guide_to_new_zealand Shopping

Shopping

New Zealand has an excellent range of shops including award-winning fashion boutiques and big-name international chain stores.

Shopping hours

Shops and offices are generally open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. In cities, most shops are open 7 days. Supermarkets are open daily until late.

Where to go for what

Shops aren't necessarily grouped together in the way you might expect, and you might find some names confusing.

• Food – supermarket and grocery stores
• Prescription medicine – chemists
• Health and beauty products – chemists, department stores and some supermarkets
• Postage stamps – Post Shops, ‘dairies’, bookshops
• Fresh fruit and vegetables – weekend outdoor markets or farm-gate sales
• Clothing – department stores, malls and boutiques

Fashion

New Zealand has a thriving fashion industry and internationally successful designers. You’ll find fresh and original designs in inner city boutiques.

The dairy - a New Zealand icon

Every suburb has at least one dairy – the New Zealand version of the corner store.  They stock groceries and are a handy place to pick up fresh milk, bread, ice-cream, stamps and newspapers.

GST

Goods and services tax (GST) of 15% is included in all retail prices.

Consumer rights

You can check your rights on the Consumer Affairs website.

Religion