Pauanesia is the best shop for gifts for all budgets. They offer a really unique kiwi flavour with out even a hint of tacky souvenirs. This is a well established down town store which is well worth a visit. Most of their stock is NZ made by local designers and small batch kinda things. Which means there are various items which are individual and unique. Being right in town on high street parking can be difficult if you just want to pop by. Luckily the online store is great! And gifts are happily sent gift wrapped. So a perfect place to shop for people in NZ from overseas — something I have done more than once. Defiantly worth the visit!
Neera J.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Auckland, New Zealand
Whenever I’m looking for a gift to bring or send home to the states that has a distinctly kiwi feel(but isn’t a tacky souvenir), my first stop is Pauanesia to see what they have on offer. I’ve never been disappointed. While it can be pricey, I’ve always found their products to be high quality(and kiwi made). My parents went nuts for the beautiful table cloth I sent home for christmas — a lovely pohutakawa inspired textile print. I’ve also gotten many beautiful scarves with native flora-inspired patterns, incredible jewelry, and interesting stuffed toys. I can’t wait to find the perfect reason to buy a stuffed kakapo — it may need to be for myself! The shop is small but chock full of inventive and beautiful things… take your time to browse, there’s a treasure in every nook and cranny!
Elizabeth B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Chicago, IL
Fabulous shop with wonderful craft/artisan items! I went there to buy some gifts for family members. I got the cutest stuffed kiwi, made from repurposed upholstery fabric. After getting home from NZ, I decided to keep the kiwi for myself. Shhh! Don’t tell my family.
Amy M.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Auckland, New Zealand
I found awesome necklaces in here! Absolutely awesome! I regret not asking who the designer was. They were silver, all on long beautiful chains and had unique kiwi pendants on each one. There was a Kina, a Pohutawaka tree, Koru’s, Puawananga’s, puriri moths and all sorts. I thought they were all so cool — epic gifts for visiting friends or just a treat for yourself. They were all around the $ 80 mark so not that expensive if you ask me. There were also stunning greenstone necklaces set in silver. I’d never seen ones quite like this, they were perfect for girls! Another thing I fell in love with was a gorgeous Paua shell mirror. Sadly there was a big ‘not for sale’ sign on it.
Zoë M.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Auckland, New Zealand
My first thought when I walk in is always«Are you a tourist shop, or aren’t you?». I just can’t work it out. But that doesn’t mean I don’t quite like Pauanesia — it’s got a nice range of giftware featuring local designers and makers. I especially love the big stuffed kiwi made from old woolen blankets they have in at the moment. They also have some quite nice jewellery, mostly pendants and rings, and gifty kind of things suitable for, well, tourists? Or maybe people that just quite like New Zealand. Or people overseas who you send gifts to that have a ‘kiwi feel’ to them. Is it tacky? Is it cute? I think it might be somewhere in between.
Mary F.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Auckland, New Zealand
This small shop High Street in Auckland’s city is full of wonderful and unique Kiwiana gifts. I purchased some Christmas presents from this shop(as well as a gift for myself)! They had lots of tablerunners and placemats in brightly designed fabrics, perfect for summer entertaining. They also had sarongs for sale(in the same fabrics) and there were lots of Kiwi themed Christmas decorations such as paua angels and kiwis. One thing I really liked in the store was the kiwi soft toys. These came in a variety of sizes and had been made out of the old woollen blankets(most in a bluey green colour or check pattern). I thought these were super cute! There is a also a range of beautiful jewellery to purchase from necklaces, earrings and broaches. I got some pretty silver fantail stud earrings which were only around $ 20. Pauanesia would be a fantastic shop to visit if you are after a high quality New Zealand souvenir.
Belinda S.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Auckland, New Zealand
Nestled comfortably into the very hip and stylish high street is this amazing arty craft store. I love this store as it reflects the beauty of our country. The shop is not a huge store however has so much selling that you are just spoilt for choice. The owners have put their heart into the foundations and you feel this, as you browse the shelves. If you want to buy an original kiwi gift, this is where you should look. The highlight of this store for me is the Home Textiles Range, really vibrant and creative designs on Table cloths, Table Runners, Tea Towels, and Cushions too, all reflecting creativity, and culture, and it makes me remember that we are living in the largest pacific island city . Worth a look in, even if you can’t afford it, step in for some free inspiration.