This store is great because it doesn’t cater to the ‘kitschy’ side of New Zealand art and design as much as some souvenir type stores like it do. It’s more of an Art Gallery rather than a store. And affordable too. I love artist Tony Cribbs ‘Adventures of Tin man’ series and always like to pick something up whenever I see one in a store or gallery. They are just too cute. And funny as well. I always get compliments on them whenever I have people over to mine. They just exemplify the New Zealand sense of humor so well. I like the fact that Mana also has prints of a lot of their artworks so if you can’t afford the actual original artwork itself there are still opportunities for you to own a slice of something. I’m currently crushing on one of their artworks, one of a Maori girl/princess wrapped in a traditional woven cloak. I may have to settle on the print of this one myself!
Hannah B.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Auckland, New Zealand
If you’re looking for some absolutely beautiful local art, jewellery or gifts for someone visiting New Zealand to take home with them or even to send to someone abroad, this place should be your one stop shop. They’ve got a fairly small but carefully curated collection of glassware, paintings and sculptures alongside jewellery and cards and other nick-nacks. My favourite things in here are the necklaces. Long thin silver chains with bird and flower pendants, which were gorgeous and really unusual. Things like this range from around $ 40 up to $ 400, so you’re sure to find something no matter what your budget. I’ve been looking for a Green Stone necklace for my partner for quite some time and have never been able to find one that I really love, but the ones in Mana are the nicest I’ve seen in Auckland. Plus they were playing Ben Howard on the stereo when I walked in, which just made me like it even more.
Ximena S.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Auckland, New Zealand
NZ Art and Design in Parnell have an interesting range of art prints, wall hangings, jewellery, tea towels and more, all made by New Zealand designers from around the country. Most of the stock is ‘NZ themed’ with classic NZ motifs, such as the Pohutukawa tree, Pukeko birds, Maori korus and beach scenes. Unfortunately the shop attendant was busy putting a sale through so I could not find out more about the stock, but from what I observed a lot of it was designed and made in New Zealand(which the price range of the products clearly reflects). Could be a nice place place for gifts, especially if you are traveller to NZ and you want to get people at home a unique NZ-themed gift.