Auckland has an ever-increasing reputation for being an excellent shopping destination, with a vibrant homegrown fashion industry and retailers stocking all the latest international designer labels. The Kiwi fashion industry is at the cutting edge, taking (as the food industry once did) influences from Europe, Polynesia and the Pacific Rim and then, through the process of fusion, coming up with a unique style.

This can range from the simple or sophisticated to the avant-garde and from the practical to the high art creations of the World of Wearable Arts (an internationally recognised fashion festival in Nelson). Good fashion outlets are mainly located in the city centre, notably the High Street. Local names include Karen Walker (worn by Madonna), Zambesi, Workshop and World.

New Zealand's fine foodstuffs may not make practical purchases to take home but its wine certainly does. The relative lack of fine wine merchants in the country is a positive advantage, as most people go direct to the vineyards and thus avoid paying inflated prices (no middleman's mark up here).

Visitors should watch out for names such as Coopers Creek, Kumeu River, Nobilo and Matua Valley or check out the free Winemakers of Auckland leaflet, available at the visitor centre. As for wineries from further afield, the best are in the Martinborough, Hawkes Bay, Marlborough and Gold Country regions.

Woollen and leather goods are also good options for souvenirs and gifts, as are Maori traditional crafts and items made from pounamu (greenstone). For jewellery, Fingers, 2 Kitchener Street, stocks creations from dozens of top native designers, while Compendium, 5 Lorne Street, is the best all-round store for general crafts. Some of the best designer gear for outdoors and in, made from natural fabrics, is available from Untouched World, 20 High Street. This is an up-and-coming label, with high quality, designer products that cross a broad range, from food to clothing, rather than just the usual range of knitwear.

Aotea Square, next to the IMAX Cinema and opposite the Town Hall, has a market on Friday and Saturday mornings, selling arts and crafts, clothes and jewellery. The Victoria Park Market is open daily from 0900-1800 and is a big flea market where shoppers can get virtually anything. The Polynesian Market is situated just south of Mount Eden and is open on Saturday morning.

Shops are usually open on weekdays from 0900-1700, with late-night shopping on Friday until 2100 in some parts of central Auckland, such as Queen Street. In these areas, and some of the larger suburban shopping malls, you can shop on Saturday 0900-1700 and Sunday from about 1000 until 1600. Visitors should note that the suburbs of Auckland are also renowned for their shopping opportunities, so it is always worth straying off the beaten track.

Sales tax is 12.5%. Provided receipts are kept, visitors can claim a tax refund at the airport or through the local New Zealand high commission or embassy upon return.